The Blues will resume Sunday morning at Blundstone Arena on 3-105
Two early wickets by the Tigers put the visitors further on the back foot which ensured the hosts took the honours on day 2 of the clash against NSW.
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TASMANIA has prised open the door to NSW’s middle order with a crucial late breakthrough to be in a strong position at the halfway point of their Sheffield Shield clash.
The Blues will resume Sunday morning at Blundstone Arena on 3-105, holding a slender 30-run lead after an impressive half century from Charlie Wakim (78) had helped the Tigers to a 75-run first innings advantage.
Two early wickets put the visitors further on the back foot before Gabe Bell struck a major blow 20 minutes before stumps when he removed the dangerous Kurtis Paterson for 46.
Paterson had combined with rookie Daniel Solway (36 not out) to turn the momentum before he flicked a drive straight to Sam Rainbird at mid-on.
It ended a 68-run partnership and ensured the hosts took the honours on a day where they threatened to build a sizeable lead only to be pegged back.
“I think we are in a pretty good position to be honest, it has been a pretty hard fought couple of days but as the cliché goes if we start tomorrow well I think we will be right ahead of this game,” said Wakim, who has now posted consecutive half centuries in the challenging Hobart conditions.
“He [Patterson] was looking in pretty good form so it was handy to get him before the end of play and hopefully we can take a couple early in the morning and we will be in a good spot.”
Starting day two on 3-63, Wakim and Ben McDermott (46) took their union for the fourth wicket to 99 before the introduction of Jack Edwards paid immediate dividends when he trapped McDermott in front with Tasmania still trailing by 38.
The Tigers were still in a solid position with lunch looming before skipper Tim Paine and Wakim departed seven balls either side of the break, the latter’s resistance ending when he cut Edwards straight to point as the lower order was exposed.
Coming off his career high 181 last week Beau Webster (48) again guided the side into a lead and some handy runs from Nathan Ellis grew the advantage before NSW took the second new ball and wrapped up the innings.
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Wakim, who scored 160 on debut at the Adelaide Oval last February but was unable to lock down a spot in the side before Christmas this season, said his confidence was growing with every contribution.
“With the Dukes balls down here you never really feel like you are in, you have to keep grinding but it has been nice to spend some time in the middle, especially down here to build some confidence because we play half our games here.
“I’m trying to make that spot my own. I have had a couple of cracks at it and I’m hoping I can really lock it down and be there for the long term.”
adam.j.smith@news.com.au
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