Tassie cruise to victory in FRC clash

A quickfire 50 from Michael Dighton and a run a ball 50 from Travis Birt has helped set up a comfortable 7 wicket victory against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval.

Dighton made 69 from only 57 balls in a breathtaking knock which featured 10 fours and earnt him the man of the match award. He was well supported by fellow opener and keeper Tim Paine who made 41 which helped set up the victory.

Graham Manou won the toss for South Australia and elected to bat on a flat pitch, but a mixture of poor shot selection and good bowling meant the Redbacks could only manage 9/249 from their 50 overs.

Daniel Harris top scored for South Australia with a gritty 68, although it could've ended early on the 4th ball of the day when he chopped a ball onto the stumps off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus which did not dislodge the bails. Aaron O'Brien made 54 and South Australia's total would have been far more worse off if it wasn't for Dan Christian's brisk knock of 35* from 26 balls at the end of the innings.

Xavier Doherty was the pick of the Tassie bowlers picking up 3/46 from his 10 overs. He was able to extract some turn and bounce on the dry Adelaide Oval pitch.

Tasmania's reply started off brilliantly with Michael Dighton and Tim Paine putting on an opening partnership of 112. Openers Tait and George failed to trouble the pair as they hit runs at will. Shaun Tait was playing in his first game back and was lacking the pace and the venom that is usually seen from the speedster.

Tassie did lose 3 quick wickets in the middle of their innings and it looked like South Australia were back in the game, but that was about as close as they got as Ed Cowan and Travis Birt cruised to victory. Cowan played the supporting role and he finished on 54 from 72 balls while Travis Burt finished on 68 from 68 deliveries.

South Australia's next match is against Queensland at the Gabba on Wednesday, while Tasmania's next game will be at the same ground against the same opposition on the 30th of October.

Sheffield Shield Wrap Up

The first lot of matches are over in the Sheffield Shield where Western Australia has drawn with Queensland and South Australia has defeated Tasmania.

At the WACA, Western Australia went into the game full of confidence after after their tight victory over Queensland in the Ford Ranger Cup match.

Queensland won the toss and elected to field and although they kept the run rate down, they could not capitalize on the pressure as Western Australia finished the first day at 4/247. The highlight of the day was Marcus North who ended up making 107. He smashed 75 in the final session and was very well supported by Shaun Marsh who made 70 at number 3. WA ended up making 9/407 dec., with half centuries to night-watchman Steve Magoffin and all rounder David Bandy. The chief wicket taker for Queensland was youngster Scott Walter who picked up 6/121 from 39 overs in only his 2nd four day match for his state.

Queensland batted slowly and steadily in their 1st innings, racking up only 458 from 167 overs at a measly run rate of 2.74. Coincidentally the same run rate as Western Australia's first innings. Ryan Broad was the top scorer for QLD, making 103 from 253 balls, a strike rate of 40. Contributions were aplenty with Lee Carseldine making 80 (184), Chris Hartley 68 (108) and Chris Simpson 70 (111). The game petered out to a draw with Queensland getting first innings points.

At the Adelaide Oval and South Australia smashed Tasmania by 9 wickets in a rather one-sided affair. Tasmania won the toss and elected to bat, but could not take advantage of first use of the wicket as they were bowled out for 246. Brady Jones, who was in for Tim Paine as keeper top scored with 45* in his first first-class match. Tasmania really should have made more, with the top 5 batsmen making starts and then falling.

South Australia replied with 345 as opener James Smith racked up 116. He was well supported by Cosgrove and Manou who made 53 and 40 respectively. Krejza was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 4/70 on the turning Adelaide Oval deck.

Tasmania crumbled in their 2nd innings, losing 4/43 at the start of the innings and then lost 6 wickets in their last 11 runs to be bowled out for 184. Spinner Aaron O'Brien and medium pacer Daniel Christian ran riot taking 7 wickets between them.

George Bailey was the best batsman for Tassie making 90 with little to no support from the other batsmen and helped them avoid an innings defeat. South Australia cruised to victory chasing down the small total of 76 for the loss of only one wicket.

South Australia will play Tasmania today in the Ford Ranger Cup match while Queensland will play South Australia at the Gabba in a one dayer before playing WA at the same venue a couple of days later.

Tim Paine takes his chance

Tim Paine has excelled behind the stumps

WHEN Brad Haddin broke his finger and was forced to fly home to Australia , many names were thrown around as to who could be his replacement. Chris Hartley and Graham Manou just a couple of examples. But the man who the selectors chose was young Tim Paine.

Paine came into the side as a keeper who could bat a bit instead a batsmen who could keep a bit. He has exceeded all expectations in his time in Australian colours, keeping very well behind the stumps and doing well with the bat, scoring 389 runs at 32 which has included 2 50s and a superb century as opener against England at Trent Bridge .

Although not in the same mould as the likes of Haddin and Gilchrist, Tim Paine has been just as good, being used as the rock at the top of the order to see off the opening bowlers and give the rest of the batting line ups a solid platform to continue on from. He has the technique to face the best bowlers in the world and should do very well as a test batsman once Brad Haddin's time is up.

His batting may not be as effective as Haddin, but his keeping certainly is better. Haddin has been criticized for dropping easy catches and missing balls that he should be taking. Paine, although not spotless has been remarkedly tidy and has impressed many experts including David Boon. "He hasn't been overawed at all and his keeping has been exceptional." he said. In a one dayer against England in the Champions Trophy, Paine contributes to 7 dismissals, 5 of those catches behind the wicket and 2 run outs.

Paine will play in the Indian series before happily giving Haddin is place back in the side for the Australian Summer. But what we do know is that he has a bright future and is a certainty to wear the Baggy Green once Haddin retires.