Doolan-Silk century stand helps narrow deficit for Tasmania

A 170-run opening stand between Tasmania pair Alex Doolan and Jordan Silk has given the Tigers a fighting chance after all but erasing an enormous first-innings deficit against Victoria at Bellerive Oval.

The Tigers began their second innings 201 runs behind the visitors. Doolan and Silk, however, enjoyed some good batting conditions to put together Tasmania's biggest opening stand of the season and close within 31 runs of the lead.

Doolan made 94 from 119 balls with 11 fours and a six. He seemed destined for his second century of the season but was caught behind edging a very short-and-wide ball from Peter Siddle.

Nonetheless, Doolan has scored more runs than anyone else in the Sheffield Shield this season thus far. It was his fifth score of 50-plus for the season, and the second time in consecutive matches he has fallen in the 90s after making 115 in the opening match of the season.

Silk remained unbeaten on 77 at stumps after the Tigers also lost Beau Webster late in the day.

Earlier, Victoria's tail helped the visitors build the 201-run lead. Peter Siddle, Scott Boland and Jon Holland added 83 for the last two wickets. Siddle was the last man out for 42 after he and Holland put on 50 for the 10th wicket. Tigers quick Riley Meredith finished with 4 for 61, his best figures in his four-game Shield career to date.