Mac may be Tigers’ Mr Wright

Thumping puts Canes ace in frame

HURRICANES phenom Mac Wright is in the frame to rejuvenate a wounded Tigers batting line-up licking its wounds from a thumping against Queensland.

The Tigers flew home a day early yesterday, greeted by the news that their side sits bottom of the table after Victoria upset NSW.

Coach Jeff Vaughan said selectors would not make wholesale changes after the Bulls mauling but that impressive youngster Wright was certainly in contention.

“He was up there with us, and it was just a selection on the day that we chose a couple of other batters in front of Mac,” Vaughan said.

Wright was a shining light for the Hurricanes in the Big Bash as they had a late-season revival, impressing with two half centuries.

“He is very much in the mix for Shield cricket for the back end of the year and hopefully for the next 15 years,” Vaughan said.

The 10-wicket thumping at the Gabba came courtesy of a first-innings disaster where only Charlie Wakim (11) made double figures and extras top scored with 31.

The Tigers backed up with 236 in the second knock but were 3-0 before getting off the mark, with Tim Paine (61), Ben McDermott (69) and Beau Webster (50) notching half centuries.

But with six ducks in the two innings — five among his batsmen — Vaughan said the side would take advantage of an extra day to train ahead of hosting WA on February 24.

“It was a very disappointing week obviously. One that we’ll

reflect on,” he said. “We’ll have a good look at everything we do, on the field or off the field.”

While being open to bringing in Wright, Vaughan backed his top-order Jordan Silk (pair), Alex Doolan (5 and a duck) and Jake Doran (7 and a duck).

“Whilst the start of our innings was by no means positive at all we’ve been very fortunate with our opening combination over the last couple of years — both Alex Doolan and Jordan Silk have been standouts — so we won’t be panicking in that regard,” Vaughan said.

“We had a bad week, but we’ll support them and have a good week on the track and aim for them to bounce back.”