Blues optimistic but Tasmania dominate

NSW believe they can turn around a disastrous opening day against Tasmania in Wollongong, with the visitors 213 runs in arrears with all 10 wickets in hand.

Only a defiant century from Ed Cowan saved NSW's blushes, with the former Test opener hitting a confident 115 in challenging batting conditions at North Dalton Park.

The Blues were dismissed for 253 against the competition's bottom side, who reached 0-40 in reply.

"The ball has swung all day and we should be buoyed by that," Cowan said.

"Tonight we maybe tried too hard to get a breakthrough.

"It is a good wicket but there is plenty there for the bowlers if they stick the ball in the right areas for long enough.

"We were disappointed to be 4-200 at tea, and we then lost 6-50."

Cowan shared a crucial 119-run stand with Moises Henriques (47) for the fourth wicket, after the Blues had been reduced to 3-59.

Cowan scored a double century earlier this month against Shield leaders Victoria and, despite a duck recently against Queensland, Cowan now has 586 runs for the Blues this season at an average of 58.6.

The former Tasmanian batsman says missing the mid-season Big Bash provided the chance to refresh.

"My red ball cricket has fallen away in the past few years after Christmas," Cowan said.

"I felt like there was a nice period during the Big Bash to take a step back and work on a few things technically and it has paid off, so I'm very happy with where my game is at.

"It was nice to take some time off, freshen up and find some rhythm, and it has paid off."

Cowan was eventually the eighth wicket to fall, caught off the bowling of Simon Milenko.

Tasmania sent NSW in to bat under leaden skies, in the first Shield match to be played at the venue.

Milenko returned the best figures (4-60), while Sam Rainbird (2-34), James Faulkner (2-45) and Andrew Perrin (2-27) were also among the wickets.

Tasmania batted with relative comfort under lights at the end of the day with Alex Doolan (21 not out) and Jake Hancock (18 not out) at the crease.

MATCH PREVIEW 

New South Wales will be gunning to retain their place in the top two when they face bottom-of-the-table Tasmania in Sheffield Shield action in Wollongong today. 

The Blues (32.12pts) are a less than one point ahead of South Australia (32.10) and Queensland (31.31), who square off in Adelaide today, with all three sides trailing Shield leaders Victoria (43.67). 

The home side, who today play at North Dalton Park in Wollongong - the venue that will host the Shield final should the Blues win the minor premiership - have opted to leave out attacking batsman Nic Maddinson, who continues to take time off from the game after a turbulent period that involved his first foray into Test cricket. 

 

NSW coach Trent Johnston said mid-week that Maddinson was in a “good place” after his short lay-off, hinting that he would be returning to the Blues XI. 

“I spoke to ‘Maddo’ in the middle of last week before the Futures League game and he was in a good place,” said Johnston. “I’m happy that he’s back in the right frame of mind to be playing first-class cricket.

"He’s an outstanding talent and we’ve seen that time and time again.

“(State talent manager) David Freedman said he’s been very good around the Futures League team and played well in both of his innings even though he got starts and didn’t go on with them.

“He’s come back into the Shield squad and from there it will depend on how we set the team up and whether we stick with six batters or go with the extra batter and go in a (fast-bowler) light.

“That’ll be a decision that the coaching staff and Moises (Henriques) will make on the morning of the game.”

Henriques will captain the side after playing in Australia’s three-match T20 International series defeat to Sri Lanka, while spinning allrounder Arjun Nair drops out of the squad.

Quick Single: Tigers twist as Paine handed Shield return

Also returning from Australia’s T20 side for this Shield match is Tim Paine, who has been recalled to Tasmania’s four-day side for the first time in almost a year. 

In a period of upheaval for the Tigers, former Test gloveman Paine comes back into a side that has won just once from seven attempts this summer. 

Since Tasmania's last Shield match concluded a little over a fortnight ago, head coach Dan Marsh was sacked following a period of sustained under-performance. 

Young batsman Ben McDermott and seamer Andrew Perrin has been included in the Tigers’ squad, while out-of-form duo Jake Doran and Jordan Silk have been dropped, along with leg-spinner Cameron Boyce.