Ricky Ponting
TASMANIA has qualified for this summer's Sheffield Shield final after defeating Victoria by 111 runs at Bellerive Oval today.
The Tigers bowled out the Bushrangers for 225, well short of the 337 victory target.
James Faulkner was the destroyer, taking 5-56 from 15 overs, while Evan Gulbis and Ben Hilfenhaus took two wickets each.
Rob Quiney (55) and David Hussey (48) showed fight for the Vics.
Whether Tasmania hosts the final or has to travel will be determined by the result of the Western Australia v Queensland match at the WACA.
The Shield final will start on Friday.
EARLIER: TASMANIA has reduced Victoria to 5-151 at tea in their vital Sheffield Shield clash in Hobart.
The Bushrangers will go into the final session needing 186 runs off 37 overs at 5.1 runs per over to get outright points.
Evan Gulbis and James Faulkner have two wickets each for the Tigers, while David Hussey (17) and Peter Handscomb (13) are the unbeaten batsmen.
EARLIER: Tasmania has set it self 73 overs to take 10 Victorian wickets after declaring at 7-325 at lunch in it must-win Sheffield Shield clash in Hobart.
Tasmania needs an outright win to sneak into the Sheffield Shield final, while maximum points for Victoria, who will be chasing 337 to win, will ensure it hosts the decider.
Earlier, Ricky Ponting has blasted a classy 86 in what could be his final innings at Bellerive Oval, as a declaration looms on the final day of Tasmania's
Ponting's innings came off 105 balls, combining with Jordan Silk, who made his maiden first class ton (127 off 210 balls) in a 142-run stand for the third wicket.
Fawad Ahmed bowled unchanged this morning to finish with 4-122 from 30.2 overs, while Jayde Herrick has picked up 3-97 from 21 overs.
