Big chance for Tassie

Sporting News Logo

Tasmania will be approaching the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia starting on Friday at Bellerive Oval as a precious opportunity to secure outright second place on the competition table.

For the Warriors, the contest represents a chance to remain in the title race heading into Christmas.

The third-placed Tigers go into this match level on the Shield table with Queensland on 14 points but with the benefit of a game in hand.

A win against the Warriors will be vital if the Tigers are to make ground on competition leaders New South Wales who host the Bulls at Blacktown in a match starting on Saturday.

The Blues hold a 10-point break on the rest with 24 points from six matches. Unfortunately, the elements are not likely to assist Tassie's quest.

Rain is forecast for Friday afternoon in Hobart, there'll be showers on Saturday, rain developing on Sunday and rain periods on Monday.

The Tigers will be keen to do well for veteran paceman Gerard Denton who announced his retirement on Wednesday after a career spanning 17 seasons at first-class level.

At his best, Denton would have been the perfect choice to lead the Tigers attack against WA, but ongoing injuries have taken their toll and and the 35-year-old felt the time was right to step down.

The Tigers are coming off a three-week break in the Shield.

Their last match was at home against the Redbacks who got off the canvas to win despite being bowled out for 55 in the first innings.

The Warriors are not out of the hunt for the Shield in what's proving a very even season, but they need to make every post a winner.

Sitting in fifth place on eight points from five matches, a win in Hobart could bring them to within striking distance of the Tigers and Bulls.

The WACA state match committee has named a 13-man Warriors squad.

Captain Marcus North comes back into the team which drew with the Bulls at the Gabba last weekend along with young paceman Matt Dixon.

Middle-order batsman Luke Pomersbach has been omitted.

The Tigers have been strengthened by the return of Test spinner Xavier Doherty at the expense of Jonathan Wells.

Tasmanian Tigers squad: George Bailey (c), Travis Birt, Luke Butterworth, Mark Cosgrove, Ed Cowan, Xavier Doherty, Alex Doolan, Brendan Drew, James Faulkner, Brady Jones, Jason Krejza, Adam Maher

Warriors squad: Marcus North (c), David Bandy, Liam Davis, Matt Dixon, Brett Dorey, Ryan Duffield, Aaron Heal, Michael Hogan, Shaun Marsh, Wes Robinson, Luke Ronchi, Michael Swart, Adam Voges

Author(s)