South Australia secured their first victory of the Sheffield Shield 2025-26 season with a thrilling three-wicket win over Tasmania in Hobart. Chasing 217 runs in the fourth innings, the reigning champions recovered from 88 for 5 to reach the target, with Liam Scott scoring 53 and Ben Manenti remaining unbeaten on 49. Despite Beau Webster taking eight wickets in the match, Tasmania fell short in a low-scoring contest at Bellerive Oval from November 10-12, 2025.
Match Scorecard
| Team | First Innings | Second Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | 209 (64.2 overs) | 184 (51.5 overs) | Lost by 3 wickets |
| South Australia | 177 (48 overs) | 219/7 (51.5 overs) | Won by 3 wickets |
Target: 217 runs | Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Scott | South Australia | All-rounder | 3/46 & 2/16 (bowling), 53 runs |
| Ben Manenti | South Australia | All-rounder | 3/26 (bowling), 49* runs |
| Beau Webster | Tasmania | All-rounder | 5/50 & 3/73 (bowling), 8 wickets total |
| Brendan Doggett | South Australia | Bowler | 5/66 & 1/39 (6 wickets total) |
| Jordan Silk | Tasmania | Batter | 64 runs (first innings) |
Player of the Match: Liam Scott
Key Moments
- Brendan Doggett took 5 for 66 in Tasmania’s first innings with excellent seam bowling on a green pitch
- Tasmania captain Jordan Silk scored 64 runs and reached his 6000th Sheffield Shield run milestone
- Beau Webster claimed his first five-wicket haul of the summer (5/50) in South Australia’s first innings
- Tasmania collapsed to 184 all out in their second innings, with Ben Manenti and Henry Thornton taking three wickets each
- South Australia slumped to 88 for 5 in the chase before Scott and Manenti put on a crucial 71-run partnership
- Travis Head continued his poor form, scoring just 15 before edging Webster to the slips
Match Analysis
This match was a test of character for both teams. South Australia had been winless from their first three games of the season, making this victory crucial for their campaign. The pitch at Bellerive Oval offered assistance to seamers throughout the match, resulting in low scores.
Webster did everything possible with the ball, dismissing Australian teammates Travis Head and Alex Carey, but his eight-wicket haul wasn’t enough. Scott’s all-round performance earned him player of the match honors, combining five wickets with a vital half-century.
The match had significant implications for Australia’s Ashes squad selection. Jake Weatherald, hoping to make his Test debut as an opener, managed only 23 runs in the first innings, while Webster scored just 13 with the bat in the first innings despite his bowling heroics.
What’s Next
South Australia will return to Adelaide Oval for their next match against Western Australia, starting on November 22. Tasmania will look to bounce back from this narrow defeat and improve their batting performance in their upcoming fixtures.
Both teams have players pushing for Ashes selection, and performances in the coming rounds will be closely watched by national selectors as Australia prepares to face England in the Test series.