Victoria's Ryobi One-Day Cup campaign is in tatters after they suffered an agonising two-run defeat to Tasmania at Blundstone Arena in Hobart on Wednesday.
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Victoria's Ryobi One-Day Cup campaign is in tatters after they suffered an agonising two-run defeat to Tasmania at Blundstone Arena in Hobart on Wednesday.
In reply to the Tigers' 6-222, the Bushrangers could only manage 9-220 and the result sees the reigning champions anchored to the bottom of the table with three losses from as many matches.
They will need something special in their last five games if they are to feature in this season's decider on February 25.
Tailender James Pattinson (35) looked like he was going to be the unlikely saviour for the visitors after all looked lost when they found themselves 8-178 after Clint McKay (23 off 26 balls) was controversially adjudged lbw off the bowling of Jason Krejza (2-57 off 10 overs).
But the young No.9's invaluable cameo came to an unlucky end when he was run out by Xavier Doherty (3-57 off 13) after the bowler collected a return ball and dislodged the bails with Pattinson well out of his crease backing up for Jayde Herrick (eight not out).
Pattinson, who was outshone only by skipper Cameron White (36) with the bat, combined with Herrick for a 39-run ninth-wicket partnership which put the Bushrangers right back in the contest.
But with Pattinson back in the pavilion, Herrick and Jon Holland (one not out) weren't able to hit the winning runs.
Ultimately too much was left to the tail as none of Victoria's recognised batsmen were able to build on their respective starts.
White, Matthew Wade (31), Brad Hodge (29), David Hussey (24) and Rob Quiney (20) will all be kicking themselves after none of them went on with it.
Doherty was the pick of the Tasmanian bowlers while man-of-the-match James Faulkner took 2-36 off eight to go with his unbeaten 50 off 46 balls with the bat.
Krejza, Nick Kruger (1-12) and Ben Hilfenhaus (0-32 and three maidens off 11) also made valuable contributions with the ball for the Tigers.
Earlier, Tasmania also benefitted from a bottom-order revival to recover from a slow start and post a competitive total.
The Tigers run rate was below four-an-over for majority of the innings but some lusty late hitting from tailenders Faulkner and Krejza (28 not out off 18) helped the hosts' cause.
The duo came together with Tasmania staring a sub-200 total in the eye when they were 6-165 after 44 overs.
Faulkner smashed five boundaries and two sixes while Krejza hit a four and a six himself as they accounted for half of the Tigers' 18 boundary breaches.
Kruger (71) top-scored for Tasmania and played a crucial role with skipper Bailey (32), who broke the record for most consecutive one-day domestic matches (81), in rebuilding the innings after things looked shaky when the Tigers found themselves on 2-36 in the 11th over.
The pair combined for an 82-run third-wicket partnership.
Holland was the pick of the Victorian bowlers with 2-31 off 10 overs while McKay claimed 2-61 off 12.
Pattinson (1-64 off 12) picked up Kruger's scalp and spinner Glenn Maxwell was extremely stingy with his 0-29 from 11, including a maiden.
