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AAP
Sport
Scott Bailey

Rain, Dean deny Tigers in Sheffield Shield

Travis Dean scored a stubborn unbeaten 64 for Victoria against Tasmania. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Two Hobart hailstorms and more than 140 balls of firm resistance from a Victorian tailender have combined to deny Tasmania back-to-back Sheffield Shield wins.

After resuming at 1-44 on the final day and still needing another 140 to make Tasmania bat again, Victoria made clear their plan to bat through the day.

But they needed to face just 45.5 overs, as heavy rain and hail at Blundstone Arena stopped play early in the middle session with Victoria 1-113.

The rain eventually subsided as an early tea was called, but 12 minutes after the players returned more heavy hail hit with Victoria 1-122 and a draw was called as the entire field was left white with ice.

Opener Travis Dean offered the most resistance for Victoria, soaking up 184 balls for his 64 not out.

His innings included a 45-over stand that netted 80 runs with tailender Mitchell Perry, who was unbeaten on 28 from 142 balls.

Perry has made a name for producing such knocks, with the tall quick getting through some 168 balls in last year's Sheffield Shield final to help force a draw and clinch the title for Victoria.

Mitchell Perry reached lunch unbeaten on 26 as Victoria dug in against Tasmania in the Shield. (Gary Day/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

"He keeps talking about trying to be a night hawk, coming out and slogging it," Victoria captain Peter Handscomb said.

"But he locked in similar to what he did in the Shield final last year.

"He came in as nightwatchman and played such a good role today. It's really good to see someone like him stepping up in a different role."

Victoria were in the box seat after the opening two days thanks to an unbeaten century from debutant Ashley Chandrasinghe that allowed them to declare at 7-351.

But Jordan Silk's quickfire 154 from 161 balls helped Tasmania take a mammoth 184-run first-innings lead.

That gave the Tigers a shot at a second straight win after toppling South Australia a fortnight ago, but any hopes of a win were quickly extinguished on Tuesday.

The result marks Victoria's third straight draw to start the season, after they were denied by Western Australia and South Australia in the opening rounds.

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