‘One of the best games of cricket’: Tassies steal dramatic Shield win after ‘epic finish’

Tasmania has clinched a dramatic three-run victory in their Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australian following a tense final morning in Hobart.

Chasing a 259-run target for the win, the tourists were bowled out for 255 at Bellerive Oval on Saturday despite fighting fifties from all-rounder Aaron Hardie and wicketkeeper Joel Curtis.

Tasmania was seemingly cruising towards victory when Western Australia stumbled towards 8-200, with quicks Gabe Bell and Riley Meredith ripping through the middle order on Friday afternoon.

However, Curtis and spinner Corey Rocchiccioli blocked out 22.4 overs in a gritty 52-run partnership for the ninth wicket, putting the visitors within seven runs of an unlikely victory.

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Moments after Curtis brought up his half-century, Meredith trapped him on the pads from around the wicket to bring Tigers tailender Liam Haskett to middle.

Rocchiccioli and Haskett knocked off another three runs before veteran seamer Jackson Bird unearthed the decisive moment by hitting the West Australian No. 11 on the foot with a yorker, prompting scenes of jubilation for the hosts.

Tasmania remains undefeated in the red-ball competition, while Western Australian has suffered defeats in both rounds thus far.

Elsewhere, Victoria defeated New South Wales by 38 runs in Melbourne courtesy of a five-wicket haul from Test seamer Scott Boland.

And Queensland wrapped up a seven-wicket victory over South Australia off the back of opener Angus Lovell’s unbeaten 72.

Jordan Buckingham gave the South Australians a glimmer of hope when he dismissed both Usman Khawaja (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (18) cheaply.

But Lovell was able to steady and give his side to their first win of this Sheffield Shield campaign.

Queenslander Mitchell Swepson was named man of the match for his 10-wicket haul – finishing with 10-159.