Wright stuff leaves NSW singing the blues
FIGHT from Mac Wright and a masterclass from Jackson Bird has kept Tasmania from finishing last in the Marsh One Day Cup.
Wright (104 from 116 balls) and Bird (6-25) recorded their first maiden one day century and five-wicket haul respectively, helping the Tigers win its last match of the tournament against New South Wales at Blundstone Arena yesterday.
Wright, 21, was playing only his second game for Tasmania, and his efforts made him the second youngest Tigers player to make a one-day century behind Tim Paine.
The Tigers were 3-16 with all of the top three batters unable to reach double figures, and when George Bailey (8) fell in possibly his last white ball game for Tasmania, NSW had the hosts 4-53.
Wright combined with Simon Milenko (25), and put on a 109-run partnership for the sixth wicket with James Faulkner (49), before Nathan Ellis (25 not out) hit some late order runs to get the Tigers to 9-251.
Liam Hatcher was the pick of NSW bowlers taking 3-46 and Hayden Kerr (1-17) was impressive on debut, keeping it tight off his eight overs.
However, Kerr, who made 14 opening the batting, was one of Birds six scalps, with the tall seamer taking the first four wickets.
Bird along with the rest of the Tigers bowlers made light work of the NSW batters, bowling them out for 131.
Playing in his first win for Tasmania Wright admitted that everything hadn’t sunk in yet since debuting on Monday.
“You grow up watching this level on TV and then within a few years you’re out there playing,” Wright said.
“It all happened really quickly in cricket.”
The middle order partnerships proved crucial for Tasmania and Wright said the plan was kept simple.
“We just said we need to get as deep as we could in our innings,” he said.
“If we lost a few more wickets at the start it didn’t give us a chance to go big at the end.
“We were just trying to stay calm and keep wickets for the end because we had the likes of Nath who can give them a whack.”
After making his century, Wright had the best seat in the house to watch Bird do his work.
“Getting to watch at first slip is awesome,” Wright said of Bird.
“Him in his natural habitat is so good to see.”