Wakim century puts Tasmania on top of Victoria
Tasmania's No.3 Charlie Wakim made an unbeaten 148, his second century of the Shield season so far, to put the visitors in a strong position against Victoria
AAP and ESPNCricinfo staff
05-Nov-2023
Charlie Wakim cuts through point • Getty Images
Tasmania 282 for 4 (Wakim 148*, Ward 67, Siddle 2-46) against Victoria
An unbeaten century by Charlie Wakim has put Sheffield Shield leaders Tasmania on top after day one of the clash with Victoria at the Junction Oval.
Wakim finished the day on 148 not out and had guided the Tigers to 282 for 4 at stumps after the hosts had won the toss and elected to bowl. The day hadn't started well for Tasmania with Matthew Wade ruled out prior to the toss due to back spasms that had also kept him out of the Marsh Cup match against Queensland last week. Jake Doran was called in for his first game of the season as the replacement wicketkeeper.
But Wakim covered Wade's absence. The 32-year-old shared a 147-run stand for the second wicket with Tim Ward that set the tone, with the opener compiling a patient 67. It is a record second-wicket partnership for Tasmania against Victoria in Shield cricket.
Wakim brought up his century with a late cut to the boundary off spinner Todd Murphy. It was his third first-class century and second this season. The late bloomer made a century on debut for the Tigers in 2019, a brilliant 160 against South Australia, and this season he has looked at home at the top of the order. He made 110 earlier in this season against the Redbacks and has been a key reason why the Tigers have started the Shield season strongly.
Victoria started the day well with veteran paceman Peter Siddle claiming Caleb Jewell early as he edged seaming delivery to Sam Harper.
The hosts had a window of opportunity in the first session during Murphy's opening over. Ward edged Murphy's first delivery low to the boot of Peter Handscomb at slip. Next ball, Wakim offered a sharp chance to Travis Dean at short leg but it was dropped.
The bowlers then toiled without joy until Ward drove to Dean at short cover off spinner Matt Short.
Tasmania allrounder Beau Webster was with Wakim at stumps on a day when 38-year-old Siddle asked the most questions for Victoria with his probing seam bowling, having come into the side in place of Scott Boland who was rested.