Jake Weatherald and Jake Lehmann’s half-centuries fail to lift Redbacks above Tigers in JLT Cup clash
SOUTH Australia will have to win the one-day title the hard way following a third straight loss against a Ben McDermott-inspired Tasmania in Sydney, despite another strong innings from Jake Weatherald.
SOUTH Australia will chase its first one-day title in seven years the hard way following a third straight loss against a Ben McDermott-inspired Tasmania in Sydney.
Jake Weatherald (79 from 82 balls) top-scored for South Australia but McDermott carried his bat (102 from 120) in a second matchwinning ton of the tournament.
“All credit goes to Benny, he took it away from us, batted out of his skin and got them over the line,” Weatherald said of McDermott.
Chasing 237, McDermott lost opening partner and former Test keeper Matt Wade (0) in the first over but figured in a decisive 123-run third-wicket stand with Jordan Silk (71). A Kane Richardson rocket return ran out Silk.
Another impressive display from Redbacks leg-spinner Adam Zampa (2/47) gave the Tigers some nervous moments ripping out former Australian batsman George Bailey (three) and Simon Milenko (21).
McDermott remained as tail-ender Gurinder Sandhu (11) hit the winning runs off Richardson (2/46) with an over to spare.
Weatherald’s peak-and-trough start to the season continued. The left-hander’s matchwinning undefeated 106 against New South Wales in Perth preceded scores of 0 and four in losses against Western Australia and Queensland.
Weatherald was eyeing a key ton before gloving a Riley Meredith delivery to ground and watching the ball trickle into his stumps.
“It is really annoying. Your job in one-day cricket as an opener once you get past 10 overs is to kick on and make big hundreds,” said Weatherald. “It was an unfortunate way to get out but we had a few blokes who got out in poor periods.”
The Redbacks are destined to finish the regular round in fifth or sixth spot meaning they will have to win a qualifying final, semi-final and final to clinch silverware.
SA posted 7/236 in 50 overs with skipper Jake Lehmann making an unbeaten 58 from 63 balls. Designs on a total that would place the Tigers under immediate scoring pressure waned in a 5/68 collapse.
Weatherald said poor batting was holding SA back with key partnerships required in the back end of the tournament.
“If we want our bowling attack, which is world-class, to defend scores we have to make bigger totals,” he said.
“Everyone still has a chance which is the great thing in this tournament but we need to bat better in the middle overs and once we can control that, set bigger totals.”
Meredith skittled set No. 3 Callum Ferguson (43) while Beau Webster broke Alex Carey’s 77-run opening stand with Weatherald. Former Blues allrounder Sandhu (2/44) snared Tom Cooper (four) and Alex Ross (10) then Tom Rogers claimed Cam Valente (three) as the Tigers gutted SA’s middle order.