Image Credit- AP
Tasmania’s faint prospects of making it to the One-Day
Cup final were maintained going into the last round with a bonus-point victory
over Queensland at the Gabba.
With five wickets remaining, they chased down the
total in just 27 overs after bowling Queensland out for 150.
In generally challenging conditions, Tasmanian opener
Caleb Jewell (61 off 68 balls) batted with a rare freedom. Jewell’s knock made
that the visitors, who were 63 for 3 when he found top gear to bring his team
within striking range, had few anxious moments.
Beau Webster was undefeated on 20 off 17 deliveries,
and Mac Wright struck two sixes in his assured cameo.
Iain Carlisle was Tasmania’s best bowler earlier, but
the damage was caused by Webster’s double-strike that removed set players
Matthew Renshaw and Max Bryant.
Jack Clayton, who scored a century this week against
Tasmania with the Shield, prepared for yet another rescue operation. However,
Queensland’s lower order collapsed after he was bowled by Tom Rogers, with the
final five wickets going for a just 10 runs.
As a result, Tasmania can advance from fourth place
into the grand final with a bonus-point victory over third-place Western
Australia the following week, provided other results go their way. Queensland,
on the other hand, will start the final round in second-last place.