South Australia captain Johan Botha suggested the numerous rain delays on day two of his side's Bupa Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania on Wednesday played a part in their dismal batting display.
Upon Tasmania's decision to declare at 3-403 following the rain-soaked conditions and regular stops in play, the Redbacks came in to bat late in the day as tea loomed and could only post 7-93 in response before the gloomy weather forced an early conclusion.
The hosts fell victim to a ferocious spell of bowling from Tasmania quick Luke Butterworth, who finished with figures of 5-29 from 15 overs, including eight maidens.
Butterworth dismissed top-order batsmen Phillip Hughes (three) and Tom Cooper (0) moments apart in only the third over of the Redbacks' innings before the 28-year-old shredded through the rest of the batting line-up.
Harbouring hopes of a return to the Australia fold, Callum Ferguson (48) provided some resistance, rifling 10 boundaries only to depart two runs short of a gallant half-century.
Botha said the inclement weather made it difficult for the Redbacks' batsmen to arrest Tasmania's momentum.
"Normally the weather helps the bowling side ... so I think from a batting point of view it definitely made it a little bit tougher," Botha said.
"Coming on and off as a batsman is probably harder than a bowler warming up and finding his areas again.
"The momentum was hard to stop and you've got to find one or two guys in your batting innings to put their hand up and get a big partnership to stop the other team from rolling over you."
Botha remained upbeat despite being a colossal 310 runs behind the Tigers and on the verge of being forced to follow-on.
The South African T20 specialist felt the Redbacks could hang tough with stumpsman Tim Ludeman and spinner Nathan Lyon at the crease.
"(Chasing) 403 looks really bad against 7-93 - that is tough - but I'm sure the guys will try their best to fight back," Botha said.
"Nath (Lyon) can definitely hang in there and Tim will do it with him.
"They just have to bat well through an hour, a session and maybe even a session after - they can do it, it's not impossible.
"Then in our second innings we will have to be a lot better and take it from there."
Ludeman (six not out) and Lyon (four not out) will begin day three for the Redbacks on Thursday at an earlier local start time of 10:30am.
First Posted 11 October, 2012 8:17AM AEST
