Tasmania captain Jordan Silk says he remains proud of his side even though their shock 134-run loss to South Australia cost them hosting rights for the Sheffield Shield final.
Chasing 324 for victory at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Tasmania were bowled out for 189 midway through day three on Wednesday.
Although Tasmania entered the match on top of the ladder and knowing their spot in the Shield final was already guaranteed, they needed a win to seal hosting rights.
Their loss to South Australia opened the door for WA to snatch hosting rights, and the defending champions took it with both hands by beating Victoria by 138 runs inside three days at Junction Oval.
It means WA will host Tasmania in the final at the WACA, starting on March 21.
Tasmania were restricted to scores of 123 and 189 by South Australia across their two innings on the way to their second loss of the season.
But the Tigers' feat of reaching their first Shield final since 2017/18 left Silk swelling with pride.
"I'm still immensely proud of what this group has been able to achieve this year," Silk said.
"There were probably a lot of question marks around our list going into it.
"And to perform the way we have (is amazing). We would have travelled anywhere to be part of the Shield final."
South Australia produced a superb bowling display on Wednesday to secure just their third win of the season.
Jordan Buckingham (5-65) ripped through Tasmania's top order, while Brendan Doggett (3-73) and Nathan McAndrew (2-42) were also crucial.
Tasmania resumed play on Wednesday at 1-8 following Matthew Wade's late dismissal at the hands of Buckingham on Tuesday.
Buckingham struck again on the third ball on Wednesday to dismiss Caleb Jewell for 11, caught at third slip.
The Tigers were reeling at 3-18 after Gabe Bell was trapped lbw by McAndrew for a duck.
It was no laughing matter for Tasmania when Silk was dismissed for 14 by Doggett, but the dismissal itself brought about plenty of laughter.
Doggett was initially left despondent after his appeal for lbw fell on deaf ears, but what the paceman didn't realise was the ball had actually clipped and dislodged a bail.
It wasn't until a laughing teammate dragged him to an unblocked view of the stumps that Doggett realised what had happened.
This ball bamboozled everybody, but as the old saying goes, there's only two types of leaves! #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/0WJWtGHtYT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 13, 2024
All hope appeared lost when Buckingham induced an edge from Charlie Wakim (23) to leave Tasmania floundering at 5-61.
A 60-run partnership between Jake Doran (34) and Beau Webster (68 off 76 balls) got Tasmania to lunch without further loss, but the wheels quickly fell off after the break.
Although the Redbacks finished the year in fifth spot, wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen believes they have taken steps in the right direction.
"There's a lot of positives to take out of this year," Nielsen said.
"I thought Nathan McSweeney's year and Nathan McAndrew in particular have been outstanding.
"They've really led from the front."
