Worcestershire CCC 2018 overseas player Travis Head produced an innings to remember for South Australia but his side fell agonisingly short of victory and lost by 16 runs to Tasmania in a Sheffield Shield clash in Hobart.
South Australian captain Head, who will link up at New Road for the start of the campaign, came to the wicket at 54-3 with his side having been sent a 330 target.
It quickly became 69-4 but then Head launched a superb fightback which almost saw his team over the finishing line.
He dominated a stand of 115 for the fifth wicket with Tom Cooper and, although wickets continued to tumble, while Head was at the wicket there was always hope for South Australia.
The left hander added a further 55 for the seventh wicket with Joe Mennie (29) and 57 for the ninth with Nick Winter(25).
But with just 19 required, the second new ball settled the game in Tasmania’s favour.
Head’s superb knock of 145 off 167 balls with 23 fours and one six came to an end when he edged Sam Rainbird through to second slip.
Then Winter was bowled by Jackson Bird three overs later to seal victory for Tasmania.
Head had also scored 85 against Queensland at Adelaide in the previous Sheffield Shield encounter.
He will arrive at New Road in time to acclimatise for the opening Specsavers County Championship match with Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl starting on April 13.
