Image: South Australia triumphed by two runs over Tasmania in a Sheffield Shield match / © ESPNCricinfo
The Sheffield Shield has been getting excited every passing day, and in the latest thrilling encounter, South Australia claimed a dramatic two-run win over Tasmania on the final ball. The match, held in Hobart from December 6-9, 2024, saw Tasmania chasing a daunting target of 429.
With four runs needed from the last ball, Riley Meredith hit it to deep cover, where Ben Manenti fielded and threw the ball back to complete a run-out. This allowed South Australia to win in one of the closest finishes in the competition’s history. South Australia’s innings included declarations at 398/6 and 233/9, with solid contributions from McInerney (75), Sangha (61), and Kuhnemann (4-67).
Tasmania, led by Ward’s brilliant 142, fought hard with Hope (69) and Weatherald (65), but crucial dismissals, including Owen (53) and Bell (duck), turned the game in South Australia’s favor. Tasmania’s collapse of 4 wickets for 4 runs in the final overs sealed their fate. This victory pushed South Australia to the top of the table, while Tasmania now sits at the bottom and will be now looking to climb up the ladder to get through the next stage.