Historic win as the CA XI upset Tigers

The Cricket Australia XI have followed up two record-breaking defeats with a stunning but nailbiting upset win over Tasmania, their first ever victory in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.

In a remarkable turnaround after a challenging week, the CA XI shocked a Tigers side featuring six international players to win their match at Bankstown Oval by three runs.

It's an incredible reversal in form after the young side were thrashed by 279 runs against NSW Blues on Monday and then by nine wickets against Victoria two days later.

Those two losses had some questioning the wisdom of including the side, a composite of the best young players in the country, in a competition against the best cricketers in Australia.

But their remarkable win today has silenced their critics and also dealt a serious blow to Tasmania's chances in the one-day domestic competition.

Boosted by a polished 84 from regular WA opener Marcus Harris and a solid half-century from captain Will Bosisto, the CA XI finished with a competitive 7-241 from their 50 overs having elected to bat first.

Watch: CA XI skipper Bosisto impresses with half-century

George Bailey and Tim Paine posted half-centuries in reply, but their young opponents bowled impressively on a wicket that played slowly throughout the day.

Fast-bowler Jack Wildermuth, who held his nerve in the final over when Tasmania needed 16 to win, said the mood in camp had not been dented by the two heavy defeats earlier in the week.

"It was obviously pretty disappointing after the two losses," the 22-year-old said. "We knew we just had to come out, play to our strengths and that came off for us today.

"It obviously is tough reflecting the night after a loss (during the week). We're all young and this is all just a great experience for us. We're going to give it our all. We had nothing to lose really.

"Every game out here is just a really great experience and it will hold us all in good stead if we can eventually break into our state sides.

"We all expected what was going to be made of (the two heavy losses). Not many people backed us in early but we're really happy with today's performance and looking forward to the next one."

Young legspinner Mitch Swepson bowled impressively to finish with 1-45 from his 10 overs, while Wildermuth took 3-46 and Matt Dixon taking 3-40 from his 10 overs.

The CA XI's total of 241 was a vast improvement after they were routed for 59 against the Blues at the same venue five days ago and 79 against the Bushrangers on Wednesday.

Harris was particularly harsh on Test squad member Andrew Fekete in the opening PowerPlay and creamed 10 boundaries in his 94-ball innings.

He shared a 70-run partnership with Jimmy Peirson for the first wicket and a stand of 95 with Bosisto to ensure there would be no repeat of the early finish against the Bushrangers on Wednesday.

Watch: Harris punishes Tasmania for half-century

But the young side were unable to capitalise on their bright start and managed to score just 57 in the final 10 overs.

The wicket of Harris in the 35th over proved to be the turning point of the innings as they lost their last six wickets for 79 having set a solid platform of 1-165.

World Cup winner James Faulkner starred with the ball for the Tigers, taking the first two wickets of the innings to keep his side in the contest.

Some late hitting from Victorian allrounder Matt Short - including a towering six that went over the pavilion at deep long-on - pushed the CA XI along in the final overs. He finished with 41 from 32 balls, while Faulkner grabbed figures of 3-40 from 10 overs.

Watch: Short's monster six

The CA XI were boosted in the run chase by the early wicket of Ben Dunk, who was fresh off an unbeaten century against Queensland on Monday.

Bosisto's decision to open with off-spinner Short was justified when Dunk, on 1 from 6 balls, advanced down the track only to be stumped by some distance.

Wildermuth then removed Dom Michael for 21 before an 83-run partnership between Tasmania's most experienced duo, wicketkeeper-batsman Paine and former Australia ODI captain Bailey.

Paine found scoring difficult but his contribution of 56 from 94 balls was crucial as the impressive CA XI bowlers kept things tight.

Bailey was far more fluent than his younger partner, hitting five boundaries in his innings of 51, but his dismissal in the 32nd over was part of a collapse of 3-28 that left the Tigers in trouble.

Needing 75 to win from the final 10 overs and with a lengthy tail that started with Xavier Doherty at No.8, most of the responsiblity fell on the shoulders of Faulkner, regarded as one of the best finishers in world cricket.

But his dismissal for 17, trapped lbw by a delivery from Matt Dixon that kept low, left the CA XI in complete control. 

Watch: CA XI hold on in thrilling final over

CA XI: Marcus Harris, James Peirson, Will Bosisto (c), James Bazley, Matthew Short, Hilton Cartwright, Alex Gregory, Jack Wildermuth, Riley Ayre, Mitch Swepson, Matt Dixon, Liam Hatcher (12th man)

Tasmania: Tim Paine, Ben Dunk, Dominic Michael, George Bailey (c), Jake Doran, James Faulkner, Evan Gulbis, Xavier Doherty, Andrew Fekete, Sam Rainbird, Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan (12th man)