Tasmania 364 (Ward 92, Silk 74, Webster 61, Radhakrishnan 55) and 268 for December 8 (Ward 96, Abbott 4-71) beat New South Wales 338 (Patterson 99, Gilkes 62, Bell 4-52) and 239 (Philippe 55, Kuhnemann 3-76) by 55 points
A stubborn ninth-wicket partnership from Adam Zampa and Chris Green and a lightning-imposed delay combined to frustrate Tasmania in the final hour after they looked on top by declaring a 294-run lead.
But Webster, a chance to break into Australia’s XI this summer if all-rounder Mitch Marsh needs a break, produced two crucial late wickets to dash any hopes of NSW holding out for a draw.
The imposing 30-year-old prompted Australian white-ball prop Zampa to lash out at Jake Doran on the first ball of his new spell. Jackson Bird to Tim Ward in the scoreless slides later, with NSW out only 13 minutes before the end of play on day four.
The reigning Sheffield Shield Series bowling exploits from Webster came after handy contributions of 61 and 49 with the bat and sealed a first win of the season for Tasmania.
“He’s a special player at the moment,” Tasmania captain Jordan Silk said of Webster. “Whenever I feel like we’re in trouble, I feel like I can throw the ball to him and he just seems to be able to create something.
“I know there’s a bit of talk about him being a (Test) back-up all-rounder and I’m very supportive of that move if they have to go that route.”
The day started on a somber note as tributes to Hughes brought the SCG to a standstill. The former Test batter died 10 years ago on Wednesday after a bouncer hit his neck while he was batting during a Shield match at the famous ground.
The man who made that delivery, Sean Abbott, was consoled by his NSW teammates as he cried during the pre-match minute’s silence.
Abbott then inspired a Tasmanian collapse of 4 for 10 early in the day, sending out Webster as the most crucial of his three wickets.
Doran stumped Davies following a Kuhnemann delivery that bounced devilishly outside off stump, before the spinner advanced on a deep NSW batting order later in the day.
As pressure mounts on Australia’s top order, former Test player Patterson has missed an opportunity to further reassert his international credentials. The in-form left-hander skied Tasmania’s Kieran Elliott to wicketkeeper Jake Doran, who caught the run at backward square leg.
It was the first time in five overs since his first-class recall that Patterson had failed to make a half-century.
When Matthew Gilkes was also caught behind by Doran the next day off Kuhnemann, NSW were teetering at 120 for 5 with a further 175 runs required for victory.
Josh Philippe provided some resistance before Mitch Owen hit him on the return to attack, with Webster doing the rest in the final half hour.