Young Tigers’ chance
THE chance to start a career and a shot of redemption are on the cards for two Tigers, with Lawrence Neil-Smith and Caleb Jewell named in Tasmania’s 13-man squad for its first Sheffield Shield match of the season.
Neil-Smith, 20, will make his first-class debut if selected for the clash starting Thursday against Western Australia, with the pace bowler rewarded for his club season with Clarence and efforts with the Tasmanian second XI since moving from NSW last year.
Also in contention is stylish batter Jewell, 22, whose superb form in Tasmania’s opening four Marsh Cup games has put him in the squad.
Tigers coach Jeff Vaughan, who will be in charge for his first game since being handed the reins from Adam Griffith, said the pair had worked hard to gain selection in the squad.
“Lawrence has been great since day one for us,” Vaughan said. “He is always improving and except for some sickness last year he has constantly been pushing his game.
“Caleb has forced his way in through sheer weight of runs.
“He was our best performer in Darwin during the preseason, and he and [Ben] McDermott have led the way in the early white-ball games.”
Jewell is coming off his first state century, hitting 104 off 117, including 10 boundaries, against South Australia.
He has not played a shield game since 2017, when he played his last of three matches after debuting when he was only 18.
Vaughan has been promoted to head coach with Griffith stepping down to assistant coach, but the specialist batting coach does not think the job titles will change much.
“To be honest it is all going to be quite similar,” Vaughan said. “Griff works with the bowlers and I work with the batters, we both speak up during team chats and I’m sure that will remain the same.”
Tim Paine looks likely to return after injuring his finger in the fifth Ashes Test.
Tigers squad: M. Wade (c), G. Bailey, J. Bird, A. Doolan, J. Doran, C. Jewell, B. McDermott, R. Meredith, L. Neil-Smith, T. Paine, A. Pyecroft, S. Rainbird, J. Silk. Second XI squad: A. Bevilaqua, J. Freeman, M. Jones, S. Milenko, T. Rogers, G. Sandhu, S. Truloff, C. Wakim, B. Webster, J. White, S. Willis, M. Wright.