Matador Cup team preview: Tasmania

The Tasmanian Tigers are quite possibly the most intriguing team to analyse heading into next week’s Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.

With returning internationals – both past and present – and some of the most exciting young guns in the country, Tasmania have the potential to be the surprise packet of the tournament when it all begins on October 5.

Here’s a full team preview to get you up to speed before the event gets underway on Monday October 5.

The squad

In good news for Tasmania, George Bailey, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner and Xavier Doherty are all set to be available for the entire tournament, while crafty paceman Jackson Bird will make his first appearance in the Tigers colours since December 2012.

Promising batsman Jordan Silk has withdrawn from the tournament due to personal reasons, while experienced paceman Ben Hilfenhaus is still recovering from hamstring soreness.

Jon Wells, the side’s third-leading one-day run scorer last year, was not offered a contract in the off-season and has since made the move across to Western Australia, while fellow batsman Ed Cowan has returned home to the NSW Blues this summer.

George Bailey (c), Jackson Bird, Xavier Doherty, Alex Doolan (vc), Jake Doran, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Andrew Fekete, Evan Gulbis, Hamish Kingston, Dominic Michael, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Clive Rose.

Coach: Dan Marsh

The fixture

Marsh’s men open their season with matches against the myFootDr Queensland Bulls and the Cricket Australia XI, with a golden opportunity to begin their campaign with two victories and collect some early momentum into the season.

The final three matches of Tasmania’s season – against the West End Redbacks, Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors and Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers – will be broadcast live in HD on GEM, as well as being streamed on cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live app for fans with a Live Pass subscription.

What’s new?

While some returning faces will seem new again for the Tigers, it’s the sight of rising star Doran that will excite cricket fans around the country. The classy left-hander made the move from NSW in the winter and looks set to make his domestic debut in Tasmania’s middle order.

What to expect

Tasmania have a point to prove after a disappointing summer across the board in 2014-15 and some exciting young talent gives the state a reason to be optimistic.

Whether or not they can string together consistent performances is the biggest question mark heading into the summer, but the likes of Bailey, Doherty and Paine will provide much-needed experience.

Faulkner boasts a match-winning ability with both bat and ball, but Silk will be missed in the field as much as with the bat.

Quotable

“With only four men allowed out of the circle until the 40th over it’s really important to bat right down the order,” Cricket Tasmania Chairman of Selectors Michael Farrell said after the squad announcement.

Player to watch

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He’s only 18, but Doran already has people talking of a long career in the Baggy Green. The classy left-hander will be out to make the most of his opportunity after making the big move from NSW in the off-season.

Last season

The Tigers could only manage two wins – as well as a no result – last season to finish in fourth place. Dunk was the star with bat, scoring 403 runs at an average of 67.16 with his brutal 229no going down in history.

Dunk's double-ton in full

The wickets were spread quite evenly throughout the Tasmanian attack, but 23-year-old Rainbird led the way with 11 scalps at an average of 27.18.

While the loss to Queensland after posting a target of 398 was a massive blow, the season low was undoubtedly the rout courtesy of WA when the Tigers were skittled for just 62 inside 24 overs at the Gabba.

Predicted finish

Fourth. A big tournament from Bailey and Faulkner could seriously shake things up. Regardless, there are some exciting young Tigers to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.

Quick Single: All you need to know guide

Team preview: Cricket Australia XI

Team preview: Queensland

Team preview: South Australia

Edited on October 2 after the Bangladesh Test tour was postponed