Ward, Doran, Hope help Tasmania hold off Abbott and New South Wales

Jake Doran and Brad Hope have posted unbeaten half-centuries to ensure Tasmania held on for a draw in their Sheffield Shield clash with New South Wales in Sydney.

Tasmania entered the final day at 203 for 2 in their second innings, still needing a further 52 runs to make NSW bat again.

NSW needed early wickets to have hope of sealing a win, and there was a spark early when pacer Sean Abbott had Teague Wyllie (38 off 89 balls) caught at slip.

Tasmania slipped to 242 for 4 when Ben McDermott (15) was bowled by Abbott, putting the heat on the Tigers to dig in.

But defiant knocks from Tim Ward (83), Doran (84no off 197 balls) and Hope (53no off 126 balls) killed off NSW's chances, with the game eventually called off late on Sunday with Tasmania at 402 for 5, an overall lead of 147.

NSW looked poised for victory earlier in the match after posting 500 for 9 declared in reply to Tasmania's first-innings total of 245.

Blues opener Oliver Davies made the perfect start to the Shield season with a whopping 253 off 225 balls.

The quickfire knock featured 38 fours and four sixes, and came at a time when the Australian Test team is crying out for a reliable opener to partner Travis Head.

Davies reached 200 off just 186 balls, marking the fastest double century in Shield history.

Head (214 balls) held the previous record.

Jack Edwards (115 off 182 balls) produced a century as NSW turned the screws on the visitors with a mammoth total that was scored at more than five runs an over.

But Tasmania's second-innings grit meant NSW were forced to settle for a draw, despite the best efforts of Abbott (4-54 from 28 overs).