South Australia beat Tasmanian Tigers by two runs in final-ball Sheffield Shield thriller

The win moves South Australia to the top of the table, but their captain Ben Manenti admitted afterwards that he had given up on the victory.

“I thought we were gone, then back in it, then gone again and back in it,” he said.

“I was content with the draw more than anything.

“But Wes [Agar] nailed six beautiful yorkers back to back.

“Realistically we needed two wickets and they needed six runs. They could have hit six singles to the deep guy and walked it home.

“Hell of a game of Shield cricket.”

During the chase, there was also an incident reminiscent of Jonny Bairstow being controversially run out by Alex Carey at Lord’s in last summer’s Ashes.

With the Tigers going well, South Australia opted to go to a short-ball plan in an attempt to limit the scoring.

Tim Ward, who made 142, ducked a bouncer off Henry Thornton, before scratching his guard and walking out of his crease, a la Bairstow.

Harry Nielsen threw down the stumps but the appeal was denied, with the umpires deciding that over had been called.