TROUBLE AT THE TOP
THE Tigers have averaged just 14.5 runs for their first wicket at Blundstone Arena since winning the Sheffield Shield in 2012-13, and have used 14 different opening combinations and 11 different batsmen in that time.
TASMANIA’S opening combination has been a revolving door in the past four Sheffield Shield seasons, but Jordan Silk is determined to make one position his own — and he hopes a clubmate can join him.
Since winning the 2012-13 title the Tigers have used 11 players and had 14 different combinations at the top of the order, highlighting the struggles against the red ball.
In that time the highest partnership at Blundstone Arena has been just 69 (with a paltry average of 14.5), with one solitary century stand in total in the past 41 games.
Silk, who was part of both the last three-figure partnership without the loss of a wicket for the Tigers and the side’s last opening century union at home, both with Mark Cosgrove, joined forces with North Hobart teammate Jake Doran at the WACA last week.
He is hoping the two can lock down the troublesome positions for the state this season, with the only guarantee a mountain of runs.
“There have been a few combinations used at the top in the last few seasons,” Silk said ahead of the clash with Queensland starting today.
“I get along really well with Jake, we have played a bit of club cricket together at North Hobart. We would love to bring that combination and have a really successful run at it over the course of the season, but that is purely performance-based.
“Opening the batting is a tough spot to get through at Bellerive, but it is something we have worked incredibly hard on in the past four months in pre-season with our batting coaches. I love opening the batting, I had a lot of my success being an opening batsman.
“The feeling you get from scoring runs at the top, it beats any other sensation in the game.
“Knowing you are able to conquer that new ball and bat long periods of time, it is something I strive to do and something I would love to get back to doing.”
The Tigers have made just one forced change from the XI that crashed to a 301-run loss to Western Australia, with ACT recruit Tom Rogers to make his first-class debut. The all-rounder will replace Andrew Fekete, who was yesterday ruled out with a foot injury.
Ben McDermott has recovered from split webbing, meaning there is still no room for Tim Paine, who will now join the Cricket Australia XI squad to play against England in a four-day, day-night tour game at the Adelaide Oval, starting next Wednesday.
“The first feeling after Perth was a bit of embarrassment of how the game finished . . . we are keen to make use of the short turnaround,” Silk said.