TIGERS FIRED UP TO SECURE HOME FINAL

THE WNCL’s leading wicket taker Sarah Coyte is confident the Tasmanian Tigers can finish their season with four strong wins at home in the hopes of securing a second consecutive home grand final.

The reigning WNCL champions face South Australia at Blundstone Arena on Monday and Wednesday next week for the first time since defeating the Redbacks in last year’s history making final.

But with both locked in a tight battle with the ladder-leading Queensland Fire (7-3) for the top two spots and place in the final, Coyte said the group understood how important the final four games against the Redbacks and then Western Australia the following week would be.

“It is a huge game. All four games left are massive,” Coyte said.

“We could have a home final, a South Australian final, (a Queensland final), or we could not play the final at all so it’s all in our power to win or lose from here on out.”

The Redbacks have responded strongly from losing last season’s decider, currently undefeated with the

Fire only ahead of them on the ladder due to playing two more games than South Australia and Tasmania. Coyte, who has taken 18 wickets this season, said the strong form of the entire squad was pleasing despite their shock loss to the ACT in the last round of matches.

“I don’t think we are relying on any one player with bat or ball which is nice to know,” she said.

The Tigers will be without Heather Graham who is on international duties ahead of the T20 World Cup but will be bolstered by the return of young gun Amy Smith who arrived back in Hobart on Friday following the Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.

Monday’s game kicks off at 10.30am while Wednesday’s clash will be a day-night match starting at 2pm.