Peter Handscomb's rearguard has fallen short as Kieran Elliott powered Tasmania home against Victoria for a thrilling 20-run Sheffield Shield victory.
Elliott followed his first innings, four-wicket haul with 6-84 in 28.1 overs on Tuesday as the hosts defied early rain and several Victorian stands to notch a crucial, second victory this season.
6️⃣ wickets for Kieran Elliott and Tasmania win a #SheffieldShield thriller by 20 runs!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 11, 2025
Scorecard: https://t.co/bCxWvSOwwW pic.twitter.com/3I1o9RyFCC
Set 270 for victory after Jake Weatherald's blazing day-three century, Victoria resumed on Tuesday 2-55 and inched towards the total in between morning rain delays.
Handscomb (93) had support from Sam Elliott (34) before Sam Harper (31) joined the former Test bat and put the visitors within reach.
But Elliott ended both of those partnerships and then nabbed Will Sutherland (18 off 16) to again stunt their march before the second new ball was due.
Gabe Bell (3-93) then found Fergus O'Neill's edge and left the Vics needing 21 from their final partnership.
Handscomb tried to do it himself, but could only sky an attempted flick over midwicket, Nivethan Radhakrishnan running in from the boundary to take the catch and spark wild scenes.
Victory came after a heartbreaking, final-ball loss to South Australia in Tasmania's last Shield game before the Big Bash League break.
"Incredible," Elliott said of the Tigers' tense win.
"Some nervous moments over the last few days, some momentum swings.
"We've put ourselves in some pretty tricky positions over the last few days, so to get the win was pretty special.
"Keen for a beer and jump in the icies (ice bath) after this."
With three rounds remaining until this year's #SheffieldShield Final, South Australia have opened up a handy gap on top 👀 pic.twitter.com/iVJsXZ4lLU
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 11, 2025
The Tigers lifted off the bottom of a crowded ladder into fourth while second-placed Victoria missed a chance to push clear of the pack with ladder-leading South Australia.
"It's frustrating," Handscomb said.
"We had two opportunities in our last two games to almost cement one of the top two spots and fell short.
"Those crunch moments, we need to be a bit stronger on but (with) three games left, we're still in the chase."
