Wakim century puts Tasmania on top of Victoria

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Wakim century puts Tasmania on top of Victoria


Tasmania 282 for 4 (Wakim 148*, District 67, Siddle 2-46) against Victory

An unbeaten century from Charlie Wakim has put Sheffield Shield leaders Tasmania on top after day one of their clash with Victoria at Junction Oval.

Wakim ended the day with 148 not out and guided the Tigers to 282 for 4 at stumps after the hosts won the toss and elected to bowl. The day had not started well for Tasmania with Matthew Wade ruled out before the draw due to back spasms which also kept him out of the Marsh Cup match against Queensland last week. Jake Doran was called up for his first game of the season as a substitute goalkeeper.

But Wakim covered for Wade’s absence. The 32-year-old shared a 147-run second-wicket stand with Tim Ward, setting the tone, and the opener compiled a patient 67. It is a record second-wicket partnership for Tasmania against Victoria in Shield cricket.

Wakim brought up his century with a late cut towards the boundary off spinner Todd Murphy. It was his third first-class century and second this season. The latecomer hit a century on his debut for the Tigers in 2019, a brilliant 160 against South Australia, and has looked right at home at the top of the order this season. He made 110 earlier this season against the Redbacks and has been a key reason why the Tigers have started the Shield season strongly.

Victoria started the day well with veteran pacer Peter Siddle claiming Caleb Jewell early as he edged the delivery to Sam Harper.

The hosts had a window of opportunity in the first session during Murphy’s opening. Ward beat Murphy’s first delivery to the boot of Peter Handscomb at slip. On the next ball, Wakim offered a great chance to Travis Dean in short leg, but he missed it.

The players then worked joylessly until Ward drove towards Dean within close range of Matt Short.

Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster was with Wakim at the stumps on a day when Siddle, 38, asked Victoria the most questions with his inquisitive bowling, having come into the side in place of Scott Boland, who was rested.