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The opening match of the 2025 Sheffield Shield season between Tasmania and Queensland at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field from October 4 to 7 turned out to be a captivating contest marked by impressive individual performances and a tense finish.
Queensland amassed a formidable first innings score of 612, powered by stellar centuries from Marnus Labuschagne (160) and Matt Renshaw (128). Tasmania responded strongly with 379 in their first innings, led by Jordan Silk’s century (104) and significant contributions from Bradley Hope (76), Jake Weatherald (67), and Jake Doran (66). The match eventually culminated in a hard-fought draw, with Tasmania battling to 317 for 7 in their second innings, narrowly avoiding defeat through resilient batting.
Usman Khawaja’s sensational slip catch sends Bradley Hope packing in Sheffield Shield fixture
One of the standout moments came from Queensland’s Usman Khawaja, who made a significant impact with both bat and gloves. Khawaja scored a handy 69 in Queensland’s mammoth innings, demonstrating his intent with ten boundaries. However, his brilliance in the field caught the eye during Tasmania’s second innings.
At ball 62.4, bowling from Michael Neser induced a thin edge from Bradley Hope, who was well set on 12 runs. Khawaja, positioned in the slips, executed a stunning catch diving to his left, snatching the ball out of the air in an athletic display that left spectators and players alike in awe. This crucial wicket, just after Caleb Jewell’s dismissal, gave Queensland hope of pushing for a victory.
Despite the catch igniting the contest, Tasmania’s depth and fight were on full display. Indian-born debutant Nikhil Chaudhary played a vital role, scoring an unbeaten 76 to steer Tasmania away from the brink. Chaudhary also showed his all-round capabilities by taking five wickets in Queensland’s innings, making him a key player in this intense fixture.
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Tasmania’s gritty second innings secure draw against Queensland
Tasmania, trailing by 233 runs after the first innings, faced a daunting chase to either push for a result or at least deny Queensland a win. Their second innings was a testament to their determination, steadily chipping away at the target with careful batting. Key contributors included Weatherald with 57 runs and Tim Ward with 39. Caleb Jewell also played an important knock of 67, battling tirelessly against a potent Queensland bowling attack that included Neser, Jack Wildermuth, and Benji Floros.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Tasmania managed to build vital partnerships and hold their ground. The match ended officially as a draw when the captains shook hands about 45 minutes before the scheduled close on the fourth day, with Tasmania at 317 for 7 wickets. This result reflected the resilience and skill of both sides, with Queensland dominating much of the game but Tasmania refusing to capitulate under pressure.
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