Jackson Bird stars in Tasmania win after South Australia collapse in a heap

Jackson Bird's 11 wickets took Tasmania to a six-wicket victory over South Australia in their Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval after the hosts fell in a heap to the second new ball just when they appeared to have scrapped their way to a position from which a draw was likely.

Jake Weatherald's first century of a hitherto wretched season, accompanied by half-centuries for Travis Head and Callum Ferguson, pushed the Redbacks to 3 for 298 approaching tea, a lead nearing 100 and overs running out for the Tigers.

However, the introduction of the second new ball, well utilised by Bird and Tom Rogers, ushered a shattering collapse for SA, as seven wickets fell for 21 runs in 50 balls, including the last six for three runs in 21 balls following Weatherald's exit. SA's injured last man Chadd Sayers was granted a runner by Tigers' captain Matthew Wade.

Bird's performance, extracting plenty of swing and nip from the Dukes ball, gave him 38 victims at 19.10 in the Shield so far this season, as he continued to press his claims for a place in the Australian Ashes touring squad after he made the trip in 2013.

Left with a target of 110 to win with plenty of overs in hand, the visitors strode to outright points for the loss of Alex Doolan, Jordan Silk, Wade and Charlie Wakim, the debutant whose first-innings century had set the Tigers up to pressure the Redbacks into defeat, to continue their push for a place in the tournament final.