Tassie bat out for a draw

An unconquered century by Tasmanian David Dawson has denied South Australia full points as the Pura Cup match in Hobart crawled out to a tame draw.

The 23-year-old part-time keeper originally from Canberra batted for 293 balls and nearly seven hours for his unbeaten 144 - surpassing his previous best score of 123no in Perth last year.

The Tigers resumed the day at 1-30, in arrears by 187 runs, batting throughout the entire day at a snail's pace, reaching 4-291 by the close of play.

After Tim Paine fell in the penultimate over of the previous day, Michael Bevan (43) coupled with Dawson in a 113-run second-wicket stand to hoist Tasmania to lunch without any further wickets lost.

Bevan was eventually dismissed seven runs shy of a half ton at 2-140, caught by Shane Deitz off the bowling of Paul Rofe.

Backing up with his powerful century in the first innings, Travis Birt lashed out with an impressive 52 in only 83 balls, including six fours and a towering six.

Trent Kelly snagged the aggressive left-hander's wicket at 3-223, trapped LBW, after an 83-run partnership with Dawson.

Dawson continued to deny the South Australia bowlers, bringing up his second first class century shortly after tea in 296 minutes off 218 balls.

George Bailey (7) was unable to hang around long following the dismissal of Birt, but keeper Sean Clingeleffer (14no) safely negotiated the path to a draw in the final 17 overs of the match.

The four wickets were spread evenly between Jason Gillespie (1-34), Paul Rofe (1-60), Trent Kelly (1-69) and Dan Cullen (1-83), while Darren Lehmann employed the use of several part-timers in the final session, including Cam Borgas and Callum Ferguson.

South Australia collect two points courtesy of their mammoth first innings score of 638, in reply to Tasmania's 8-421 declared, which keeps them in third position with 14 points.

The Redbacks have yet to lose a Pura Cup game in their past four matches, securing two outright wins and two draws.

Tasmania sit second last with eight points in five matches.

South Australia return home for a crucial ING Cup encounter against New South Wales on Sunday, while Tasmania's next assignment sees them tackling Victoria in Launceston on Saturday in an attempt to propel themselves off the foot of the one-day table.

Full scorecard available here.

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