Tim Coyle
DESPITE its demoralising loss at the hands of Western Australia last week, Tasmania's Sheffield Shield final dream is still alive.
But coach Tim Coyle yesterday admitted it would be a challenge to bounce back next week against Queensland at the Gabba after the Warriors completed the third highest run-chase in Shield history to steal the points from the Tigers.
``We understand we missed a golden opportunity to get six points and to get on to the roll that we need to in the back-half of the season,'' he said.
``We did everything other than win the game. Our second half of the game was just not good enough and we gave them two days to get 350-odd.
``We probably should have scored more runs ourselves, and we didn't bowl well enough to take 10 wickets.
``It will be tough place to turn it around, as they've had plenty of rain up there, so you'd expect it to be bowler friendly.''
Tasmania is in fifth place on the Shield ladder on 18 points, six points behind second-placed South Australia.
``If we can get to 30 points after the next two games (against Queensland and Victoria), we might be able to sneak in, but we will still need a lot to go our way,'' Coyle said.
``We have no choice now to play attacking, disciplined cricket as we'll be playing for six points.
Former Test spinner Jason Krejza is the biggest casualty from the WA loss, dropped from the team along with paceman Adam Maher and back-up keeper Ben Dunk.
Keeper Tim Paine will return from Australia A duties, with two youngsters, spinner Harry Allanby and batsman Jordan Silk, being given an opportunity against the red ball.
The match against the Bulls starts on Tuesday.
TASMANIA SHIELD SQUAD: George Bailey (c), Harry Allanby, Luke Butterworth, Mark Cosgrove, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Evan Gulbis, Ben Hilfenhaus, Tim Paine, Ricky Ponting, Jordan Silk, Jon Wells.
