Wade falls to reverse sweep as dominant Doolan makes twin tons in Sheffield Shield draw with SA

Former Test batsman Alex Doolan dominated with a century in both innings for Tasmania against SA but it wasn’t enough as the sides fought a tense final-day draw at Adelaide Oval.

Beau Webster of the Tigers bats during day four of the Marsh Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and Tasmania at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Thursday, November 14, 2019. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)

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Australian batsman Matthew Wade banked an invaluable Test warm-up but it was a Sheffield Shield contest that left South Australia and Tasmania empty-handed in Adelaide on Thursday.

Veteran opener Alex Doolan (170 and 116) became the seventh Tasmanian to make dual centuries in a Shield match but remains out of calculations for a Test recall.

The Redbacks winless steak extends to 17 matches after Tasmania (8/308) held on for a draw in a tense final session.

Former Test batsman George Bailey (32, 71 balls) kept the Redbacks at bay with an ally in Lawrence Neil-Smith (1).

The Tigers were 3/210 and requiring 127 from 32 overs in the final session with Ben McDermott and Doolan at the crease. The Tigers lost 5/53 pursuing a challenging 337 target.

The Redbacks hit back with Doolan knocked over by Wes Agar (3/49) after accumulating the fourth most runs (286) in a game for Tasmania behind Ed Cowan (395), Michael Bevan (304) and Ricky Ponting (294).

Redback players celebrate the dismissal of Matthew Wade of the Tigers during day four of the Marsh Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Former Test No. 3 Doolan was dropped on 69 at second slip by Tom Cooper off Joe Mennie but was a picture of concentration over 604 balls this match.

McDermott (42) became Nick Winter’s first wicket of the match, bowled. It was a critical breakthrough as middle-order mainstay McDermott possessed the strokeplay to take the game away from the Redbacks.

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Test skipper Tim Paine’s (1) last hit before the first Test in Brisbane lasted nine balls before Winter completed a double breakthrough with exceptional in-cutter.

Tasmania needed 62 for victory when Jackson Bird (6) mistimed a hook shot to Henry Hunt at fine leg off Agar but Alex Pyecroft’s exit for 13 to Joe Mennie saw the visitors shut up shop.

Western Australia was the last side to declare in both innings and lose – against South Australia in Perth in November 2017.

SA led by 145 on the first innings this match but Doolan set the platform for a spirited chase during stands of 95 with opening partner Beau Webster and 92 with Wade (38).

Wade’s demise had heightened the degree of difficulty for Tasmania’s run-chase by tea.

Wade pressed for 38 off 37 balls but an audacious reverse sweep off spinner Tom Cooper ricocheted to first slip. Callum Ferguson held a hot chance.

Wade soaked up 256 balls for 89 in the first innings and enters the first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba next week in fine touch.

Caleb Jewell (8) was deceived by left-arm spinner Tom Andrews, edging to Cooper at first slip.

Originally published as Wade falls to reverse sweep as dominant Doolan makes twin tons in Sheffield Shield draw with SA