34-year-old tailender top scores on debut for Tasmania

Tasmanian Sheffield Shield debutant Ruwantha Kellapotha has led a rescue mission for his new team, scoring a half-century on day one against South Australia.

Batting at No.8, Kellapotha top-scored with 50 as Tasmania could only manage 195 after winning the toss on Friday at Adelaide Oval.

They slumped to 6-86 before Jake Doran made 44 at No.6 and tailender Gabe Bell posted his highest first-class score of 27.

Jordan Buckingham led the attack with 4-49, and SA at stumps were well-placed at 3-116.

Jake Lehmann had made 37 and Jake Fraser-McGuirk was also looking well-set on 26.

Kellapotha moved from Sri Lanka, where the legspinner played first-class cricket, in 2013.

The 34-year-old played one Shield game for Victoria, and also had three games with the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL, but moved south ahead of this season and broke into the Tasmanian team.

He hit two fours and three sixes in his 104-ball innings. 

Lehmann gave him a life on 31 when he dropped a chance in the deep off legspinner Lloyd Pope.

SA player Hanno Jacobs had to leave the field after he was hit on the head while trying to take a catch. He was later cleared of injury.

After his important contribution at No.10, Bell then struck twice to remove Henry Hunt and fellow SA opener Mackenzie Harvey, making his Shield debut.

Billy Stanlake snared the wicket of Jason Sangha to leave the home side in early strife at 3-63.

But Lehmann, who scored at faster than a run a ball, and Fraser-McGuirk batted through to stumps. Tasmania must break up their partnership early on Saturday to have any hope of a first-innings lead.

SA fielded a recast batting line-up, with captain Nathan McSweeney away on Australia A duties. Tasmania similarly made several changes because of injury and national commitments.

After five games, SA are fourth on the Shield ladder in their title defence with only one win, and Tasmania are third.

Sheffield Shield 2025-26 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Victoria Men VIC	5	4	1	0	0	0	5.32	4.3	33.62
2 Queensland Bulls QLD	5	2	1	2	0	0	8.18	3.8	25.98
3 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	5	2	2	1	0	2	3.34	4	18.34
4 South Australia Men SA	5	1	2	2	0	0	2.43	4.6	15.03
5 NSW Men NSW	5	1	3	1	0	0	3.32	4	14.32
6 Western Australia Men WA	5	1	2	2	0	0	1.61	4.5	14.11

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points