WINNING TIGERS
Griffith says Bird will do Australia proud if selected
THE Tigers rebuild under new coach Adam Griffith is officially under way after Tasmania claimed its first Sheffield Shield victory under the rookie coach.
Tasmania wrapped up victory on day four, taking the five wickets required to record a 142-run win over South Australia in Adelaide.
After two heavy losses, the Tigers were denied a victory in Melbourne against Victoria by rain on the final day but won the full points by dominating the Redbacks.
Coming off back-to-back wooden spoons, Griffith said immediate results were not the main focus.
“Every time you get a win along the way it just reinforces the messages we are trying to give them,” he said.
“For us, it is great to get the win but as long as we are continuing to develop these guys and teach them, and educate them on how we want them to play their cricket and get better as individuals, that’s the most important thing for us.”
Jake Doran scored his maiden first-class century and Jackson Bird (5-30 and 3-51) led the impressive bowling squad superbly.
There is speculation SA’s Chadd Sayers should play the second Test in Adelaide if one of Australia’s quicks were injured but Griffith said Bird was by far the next best bowler in the country.
“In my opinion he is ready and raring to go,” he said.
“He was the pick of the bowlers with eight wickets on a pretty good batting wicket here in Adelaide. Whenever he comes on he always looks like he is going to get a wicket.
“He’s a super talent bowler who is in peak form at the moment, and if he got the opportunity in the next Test match he would only do a great job for Australia.”
Starting the final day at 5-124 and still trailing by 261, SA was unlikely to hold off Tasmania from earning the first win of the season after three winless rounds.
The task became even harder with Tom Cooper dismissed in the first over without adding to his overnight score of four.
Helping mop up the tail was paceman Sam Rainbird, who returned figures of 3-56.
After being dismissed for 141 in its first innings, South Australia was all out for 243 in its second innings.