da stake casino: Victoria moved four points clear at the top of the table despite 99 not out from Brett Geeves as Tasmania were beaten by ten wickets in Melbourne
Cricinfo staff18-Nov-2008
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Brett Geeves, who is more used to getting wickets than runs, top scored for Tasmania with 99 not out © Getty Images
Victoria moved four points clear at the top of the table despite 99 not out from Brett Geeves as Tasmania were beaten by ten wickets in Melbourne. Geeves was left stranded when Tim MacDonald was judged to be caught off his armguard, a decision which gave Clint McKay his fifth wicket and the home side a chase of 35. Chris Rogers (21) and Nick Jewell (13) achieved the target in 7.2 overs.Geeves, the No. 8, struck 12 fours in his 147-ball display that helped delay the defeat until the second session as the Tigers posted 300. It was Geeves’ third first-class half-century and his highest score, but he left the ground disappointed when MacDonald was ruled to have hit the ball on its way to David Hussey at slip.McKay finished with 5 for 78 and Shane Harwood collected 3 for 95, while Jon Holland removed Gerard Denton for 28 to end his 100-run partnership with Geeves. The 67-run stand between Luke Butterworth and Daniel Marsh finished when McKay picked up Butterworth after he added two to his overnight total of 25. Marsh went six runs later for 75, falling caught behind off Harwood, but the Tigers recovered strongly from 7 for 158.Tasmania, who started the day needing 121 runs to make the hosts back again, remain in fourth spot on six points. Victoria have a buffer over Queensland and Western Australia, who are both on 12.