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| Tigers’ mood exciting and positive |
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By TIM MACDONALD* CELEBRATING team and individual success is a big part of the Tasmanian Tiger ethos, and it has been great to be able to have the chance to witness a number of these successes. After a few initial hurdles for the team away from home with a first innings defeat to Queensland and One-Day loss to Western Australia at the WACA, the results have been superb and the mood in the camp is exciting and positive. Tigers’ Coach Tim Coyle spoke throughout the pre-season about the importance of getting off to a good start and despite these two losses there has been some major positives and we have definitely begun to play the cricket that we want to play. The second innings fight back in the Pura Cup game in Queensland to hold on for a draw, and the double bonus point against the Bulls at the Gabba have been major catalysts in this resurgence. Brett Geeves has been in career best form, and with the absence of Damien Wright and Ben Hilfenhaus, he has been able to show the great results of his hard work over the pre-season. “Everything is coming together,” Geeves said. “I’m landing the ball in good areas and its swinging.” Geeves said he believes that this pre-season has been his best for a number of years, and his confidence has grown. “I am able to bowl for longer periods with sustained pace, landing the ball where I want to which is great.” Tim Coyle agrees, believing that not being in the team for the Pura Cup final win last year has spurred Geeves on. “He faced some personal challenges at the end of last season but has refocused and really stood up for us so far,” Coyle said. All of the Tigers’ batsmen have shared in the runs over the past month as well, with a significant improvement in the One-Day batting from last season, which has certainly pleased our coach. Coyle said that a reshuffle in the order is the major reason for this with Travis Birt moving to the top of the order and making immediate impact. “We issued a challenge to the batting group before the season to consistently post and chase scores of 250 plus and they have responded.” Coyle is also extremely happy with the move to elevate Captain Dan Marsh in the order to number four, and believes that he is now ‘the cement in the middle’, citing his 100 against New South Wales as the standout performance for the season so far. A major factor in the early successes for the team has definitely been the return of Australian players Ricky Ponting and Ben Hilfenhaus. Obviously having the Australian captain and the world’s best batsman in your side is always a bonus, but Punta’s knocks in both innings against South Australia were nothing short of breathtaking, and his second innings hundred was a great morale boost for all of us. He epitomised the way we want to play our cricket, being aggressive and tough in declaring behind on first innings, and then setting out prove that this style of cricket will more often than not be rewarded. Ricky is often criticised for not playing more for Tasmania, but unfortunately his busy schedule does not allow him to. However, when he is available to captain the side he plays with passion for the Tigers, and really lifts the other players in the dressing room. *Tim MacDonald is a fast bowling recruit for the Tasmanian Tigers
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