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'Unbelievable': Fans left stunned by Aussie cricket 'miracle'

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Mitchell Starc, pictured here taking the final wicket for NSW.
Mitchell Starc took the final wicket to complete NSW's comeback victory. Image: Cricket Network/Getty

NSW’s unthinkable comeback victory over Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield is being described as a ‘miracle’ after the Blues were bowled out for 64 in their first innings.

NSW secured their biggest Sheffield Shield comeback win in more than half a century after an extraordinary 145-run defeat of Tasmania on Wednesday.

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When Mitchell Starc had Tim Paine dubiously out lbw for seven in the final session at Gladys Elphick Park, the Blues put the seal on a victory forged despite their paltry first innings.

Their 175-run deficit from the first innings was the largest since NSW were 199 runs in arrears against Queensland in 1965-66.

And the Blues’ first innings total was the lowest they’d turned into a win.

Tasmania threatened to go after an unlikely win themselves on the final day when nightwatchman Peter Siddle (46) and Test middle order batsman Matthew Wade (59) batted out the first session.

But things changed very quickly after lunch when Lyon (3-55) had Siddle caught on the second grab by Nick Larkin at short leg, with his first ball for the session.

From there the Tigers buckled with Lyon next dismissing Wade as he attempted to whip the ball off his pads only to find the waiting hands of Kurtis Patterson at leg slip.

Lyon then had Jake Doran (4) edging behind and when tail-end specialist Starc (3-52) claimed Ben McDermott (50) and Beau Webster (4) in quick succession before tea the Tasmanians were on the ropes at 7-183.

Harry Conway (2-26) and Starc then closed out an exceptional win for the Blues.

Cricket NSW described the win as a ‘miracle’, while fans were also left in disbelief.

Starc and Nevill put bad blood to bed

Australia quick Starc had done his bit with the bat on Tuesday, adding 86 not out while centuries to Sean Abbott and Moises Henriques helped the Blues post 6(dec)-522 in their second innings.

Starc was noticeably frustrated at captain Peter Nevill’s decision to call him and Abbott in, despite the left-armer closing in on a maiden first-class ton.

He was captured throwing his bat in disgust near the team marquee when he went off the field.

Mitchell Starc and Peter Nevill, pictured here celebrating NSW's win.
Mitchell Starc and Peter Nevill celebrate after NSW's win over Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

But Nevill, who initially joked before he suggested he was taping his fingers and didn't see what Starc did, said the pair smoothed things out.

“We had a bit of a chat about it,” said Nevill, who was proved right when his side picked up two wickets before stumps on Tuesday.

“I did apologise to him as well.

“I'd have loved for him to get that milestone but the most important thing was us having a crack at them for 45-50 minutes or whatever it was last night.”

with AAP

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