Tigers on back foot after double strike

| March 15, 2022

Rookie offspinner Todd Murphy has helped Victoria make an important double breakthrough in their crucial Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.

Tasmania reached 2-64 at lunch on day one after winning the toss and electing to bat at Junction Oval.

In just his second first-class outing, Murphy knocked over both openers to return 2-14 from nine tidy overs.

Caleb Jewell was stumped by Sam Harper for 27 to bring to an end a 53-run opening stand, and Tim Ward soon followed bowled for 29.

Victoria made three changes from the side which drew with Queensland in their previous outing as James Seymour, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Henry Thornton all returned.

Opener Marcus Harris and fast bowler Scott Boland are in Pakistan with Australia’s Test squad, while Matt Short has a side strain.

Tasmania lined up with a debutant in the form of off-spinner Ben Manenti

Unbeaten Victoria are second on a congested Shield ladder with two wins and three draws.