Sheffield Shield: Tasmania’s Matthew Wade stars as Tigers beat Victoria

Tasmania cruised to its first outright victory of the Sheffield Shield season with a convincing win over Victoria at Blundstone Arena today — and it came with a twist.

TASMANIA cruised to its first outright victory of the Sheffield Shield season with a convincing win over Victoria at Blundstone Arena today _ and it came with a twist.

Matthew Wade scored his second half-century of the match, hitting 57 off 92 deliveries to guide his side to the impressive hometown win.

The Tigers needed 140 in their second innings to eclipse the Bushrangers’ lead of 139.

Tigers batsman Matthew Wade smacks a boundary on day four of the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and Victoria at Blundstone Arena. Picture: AAP

After rained ended proceedings early yesterday, the Tigers resumed this morning at 2-31 needing 108 to win.

And after the Tasmanian batted with confidence and positivity, it was a comical finish to the mach.

Wade hit a single off the first ball of Jon Holland’s seventh over, and mistakenly the umpires knocked the bails off and players started to walk off, only to realise the scores were level and Tasmania needed one more run.

Tigers batsman Matthew Wade looks on after playing a shot on day four of the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and Victoria. Picture: AAP

Wade made sure of it next ball, smashing a six over long off, the Tigers 4-144 off 45.2 overs, racking up a win, a draw and a loss from their opening three games.

“We’ve played some decent cricket,” Wade said.

“We’ve all felt that we’ve been there, or thereabouts, and we want to make Bellerive what it was a couple of years ago when teams came here and really struggled to adapt to the conditions.

“If we can own this ground this year then I think we can have a good season.”

Wade made 69 in the first innings to go with his 57 in the second, which won him the Scott Mason Medal as Man of the Match.

“I’ve been around a long time for Victoria and Tassie and I’ve played in this game every year,” Wade said.

“It’s a great game to be a part of and I’m really honoured to win that medal.”