A sporting declaration from Tasmania captain Tim Paine has set up an intriguing final day in the Sheffield Shield cricket match against NSW at Bankstown Oval.
When bad light ended play prematurely for a third straight day, NSW were 3-77, an overall lead of 221.
Paine declared at 8-298, at tea on Friday, handing NSW a 144-run first innings advantage with four sessions to go.
Allrounder Luke Butterworth spearheaded Tasmania’s revival from 5-123 with a unbeaten 65.
Nic Maddinson (34) and Steve Smith (16) will resume for NSW on Saturday, when rain is forecast and play is scheduled to start half an hour early.
“It all depends how many overs we’re facing, but I think on this sort of ground and a pretty flat wicket we’ll back ourselves to chase almost anything,” Butterworth said.
NSW paceman Josh Hazlewood said he was a bit surprised by the declaration, but thought it was good for the game as it kept it moving forward.
“I think both sides are trying to get a result now, which is good, so hopefully tomorrow we can finish the job,” Hazlewood said.
He said the Blues might look at a target of around 300, though admitted it wouldn’t be easy to bowl Tasmania out on a pretty flat track.
“It will be tough work, but if we all bowl well and build that pressure and if they are looking to score and try and chase it down, then a few opportunities will come,” Hazlewood said.
Paine’s attacking move paid instant dividends as Peter Nevill (0) was lbw to the first ball of the innings to Butterworth (1-8).
Fellow opener Scott Henry (3) also fell for a second single-digit score in the game, caught behind off Jackson Bird (1-20) with the score at 10.
NSW captain Michael Clarke (22) looked dangerous in his 21-ball cameo.
He struck four fours before he was caught by wicketkeeper Paine, who dived forward to complete the dismissal of the first ball bowled by James Faulkner (1-8).
Three stubborn partnerships helped Tasmania avoid any risk of being asked to follow on after a difficult morning session in which they lost 3-69.
NSW took control after dismissing Aiden Blizzard (7) and Mark Cosgrove (84) in successive overs.
Paine (23) and Faulkner (28) started the fightback with a 31-run sixth wicket stand before lunch.
Butterworth then added 40 with Faulkner (28) and 88 with Jason Krejza (48).
The Tigers were more enterprising in the middle session, adding 118, with Butterworth and Krejza both playing several attacking shots.
“We probably lost more wickets than what we were hoping at the start of the day, but once we got past the follow on I think the only way we could win the game was declaring behind,” Butterworth said.