Finch the star on tough day for batsmen

ESPNcricinfo staff

Comments: 4 | Text size: A | A

Tasmania 3 for 74 trail Victoria 233 (Finch 83, McDonald 65, Hilfenhaus 4-44, Butterworth 4-62) by 159 runs
Scorecard

	Aaron Finch, who made his Twenty20 debut for Australia this year, was in fine form © Getty Images Enlarge

Aaron Finch and Andrew McDonald kept Victoria in with a chance on a day dominated by the bowlers in Hobart, where 13 wickets fell, and all to seamers. Tasmania were on top after they restricted the Bushrangers to 233 but by stumps, the Tigers were finding it tough going with the bat, and they were 3 for 74, with Ed Cowan on 25 and George Bailey on 2.

Tasmania had lost their opener Nick Kruger, who was making his first Sheffield Shield appearance for his new state having moved from Queensland, for 11, before Alex Doolan (33) and Brady Jones also departed. Only three Victorians had reached double figures after they were sent in by Bailey, who was well supported by his new-ball bowlers.

Ben Hilfenhaus picked up 4 for 44 and Luke Butterworth collected 4 for 62, and it was a real struggle for most of the Bushrangers. But 83 from Finch, who scored briskly, and 65 from the stand-in captain McDonald, ensured a vaguely respectable total, before James Pattinson chipped in with a late 31.

Tasmania are in second place on the Sheffield Shield table and victory at home would give them an excellent buffer from the Bushrangers, who are third.