TAS vs SOA | Tasmania win five in row after Webster’s half-century takes them over line in low-scoring game

‌After shining with an eight-wicket match haul in the Sheffield Shield a couple of days ago, Beau Webster underlined his credentials with the bat, albeit in the 50-over format, to help Tasmania beat South Australia by four wickets. The all-rounder anchored a low-scoring chase with a vital half-century in the side’s fifth game of the One Day Cup in Hobart as the home side continued their unbeaten run in the tournament to remain on top of the points table.

Opting to bowl first at the Kingston Twin Ovals, Tasmania restricted South Australia to a modest total of 195 with more than three overs to spare. Captain Nathan McSweeney held the innings together with a fighting knock of 49 from 92 balls, which included two fours. Meanwhile, pacer Nathan McAndrew used the long handle to good effect to hit two fours and two sixes to take the side close to the 200-run mark with a 29-ball 40. Billy Stanlake was the hosts’ best bowler with figures of 3/31, while Nathan Ellis and Mitchell Owen chipped in with two wickets.

In reply, Webster, who walked in at number three, held firm from one end as the home side endured a top order collapse to slide to 37/3 inside eight overs. The all-rounder built a crucial 80-run partnership with captain Jordan Silk (35) to bring the side back into the contest. He completed his half century, in 59 balls, in the 22nd over and continued to stay in the middle despite losing partners at the other end. Webster was the sixth and last batter to be dismissed after hitting nine fours during his 96-ball 78, with hosts needing another 35 runs in the remaining 17 overs. Ellis and Nikhil Chaudhary played composed knocks as their unbeaten stand took the side to 196/6 with more than 10 overs to spare. For the visitors, McAndrew complemented his efforts with the bat with a spell of 2/48 in 10 overs, while McSweeney, Jordan Buckingham, and Lloyd Pope had a wicket apiece.