Optimism in wake of NSW rout

Tigers stay positive after Sydney drubbing

TIGERS coach Jeff Vaughan is keeping the glass half-full after Tasmania suffered an eightwicket loss to a “world-class” NSW yesterday in its Sheffield Shield clash.

The game at Drummoyne Oval only lasted two and a half days with a star-studded NSW needing under nine overs to chase the Tigers’ second innings lead of 44.

Tasmania showed promising signs early in the game with the bat but no one could capitalise on their starts with five batters making over 20 but none of them passing 70.

NSW showed its experience when Steve Smith (106) and Moises Henriques (124) came together, scoring 197 for the third wicket, helping hand NSW a 96-run first innings lead.

Behind the eight ball, Tasmania was bowled out cheaply for 140 before NSW chased down the deficit, losing only two wickets.

Tigers coach Jeff Vaughan admitted the batters not going on with strong starts is concerning but said they gained a big lesson while in the field.

“We take a lot of positives away from the game,” Vaughan said.

“Even though the scorecard will show we were a long way off, we feel as though we were only one partnership away from being more competitive.

“If we had 100 more runs to play with leading into day four we would have sent them a scare.

“The best thing for our boys was to see Smith up close, there is no doubt he is the best batter going around at the moment.

“How he conducts himself and how he goes about it is something the guys can take away.

“He just kept wanting to bat and never got out of second or third gear and was happy to spend time in the middle.

“That was a world-class team with players like Warner, Smith, Starc and Lyon.”

A huge positive for Tasmania was Riley Meredith (5-98), who took his maiden shield five-wicket haul in the first innings.

“He has been bowling well all season,” Vaughan said.

“There were periods where he wasn’t taking wickets, and what is pleasing is he had to fight hard, which is a great learning curve for him.”