Matthew Wade shook off a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign with Australia by delivering one of the finest first-class innings of his long career, scoring 146 runs to rescue Tasmania from looming disaster in their Sheffield Shield clash with NSW.
Wade had managed just 15 runs in three innings in the T20 World Cup – and also contracted Covid-19 – but was at his brilliant best on Saturday.
The ex-Test gloveman arrived at the crease after lunch with Tasmania 4-56, after NSW quick Chris Tremain picked up Tim Ward (5), Jake Doran (2) and Jordan Silk (9) en route to his 3-49.
But Wade, as he has done on so many instances, steadied the ship with a sensational, composed innings, hitting 146 off 198.
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Wade first paired with Caleb Jewell, but he fell on 53 to leave Tasmania in serious trouble once more at 5-95.
But the 34-year-old would not be denied, putting on 114 runs in partnership with Beau Webster (41), then receiving some late support from Jarrod Freeman (32) and Jackson Bird (28no).
Tasmania finished the first day 8-329 at stumps – after Wade was dismissed on the final ball of the day’s play.
Wade finished with 18 fours and one six – which brought up his century – and was just six runs shy of his first-class best score of 152.
Meanwhile, Western Australia’s Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft have enjoyed a day out at the WACA, pummelling the South Australia bowlers in a bruising 256-run opening partnership.
WA won the toss yesterday and sent SA in to bat, with the Redbacks finishing the opening day 5-267 after opener Henry Hunt’s solid 71. They resumed this morning but were soon dismissed for 299, with Nathan McSweeney (67) running out of partners as he tried to make a late flurry.
But their efforts paled in comparison with the WA openers, with Sam Whiteman monstering an unbeaten 131 off 259 and Cameron Bancroft 117* off 253.
It was Whiteman’s 10th first-class ton and Bancroft’s 21st, with the duo combining for 30 boundaries in their 85 overs at the crease. Having scored just 2 and 0 in his last Shield outing, it was a delightful return to form for Bancroft.
They reached stumps 0-256 and trailing by 43 runs – and setting up another long day in the field for the Redbacks tomorrow.
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