Tasmania too good in first Ryobi Cup match for first split-innings win

Tasmania 9 for 252 (Cosgrove 69, Lockyear 64, Rimmington 4-60, Feldman 4-64) beat Queensland 247 (Broad 83, Drew 4-70) by 5 runs

Player of the match NJ Rimmington (Queensland)

Tasmania, the nominal defending champion, survived an unexpected scare from the No.11 Nathan Rimmington to hold off a fast-finishing Queensland and win the inaugural split-innings fixture. 

Half-centuries to Mark Cosgrove and Rhett Lockyear pushed the Tigers to 9 for 252 at the Gabba and the Bulls were in big trouble - even with Ryan Broad's 83 - until Rimmington arrived.

While Rimmington and Chris Hartley very nearly stole the show with a captivating last wicket stand of 61 from 37 balls, it was Ryan Broad's resilient 83 runs in a near lone-hand at the top of the order which kept the home side in the contest.

Mark Cosgrove ended the match as the Tigers' highest scorer with 69 from 72 balls, but while he was able to ensure a good start for the visitors, Rhett Lockyer's 64 from 57 in Tasmania's second innings and Brendan Drew's four wickets were of equal value.

The Tigers claimed the 50-over competition in February, but since then the format has undergone a significant renovation to become a 45-over contest decided through four innings. Once Cosgrove, an off-season recruit from South Australia, opened with a half-century the Redbacks had the advantage and cruised to 3 for 105 after their first 20 overs.