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.