Tasmania's Ricky Ponting and skipper George Bailey are feeling relaxed ahead of today's Sheffield Shield final. Picture: PAUL SCAMBLER
TASMANIA is guarding against the draw-is-good-enough mentality as it prepares to host what looks certain to be a rain-interrupted Sheffield Shield final.
With showers forecast throughout the match in Hobart against reigning champion Queensland, a non-result would hand the table-topping Tigers their third title under retiring coach Tim Coyle.
But captain George Bailey stressed the importance of maintaining the mindset that produced required wins in their last two fixtures to claim hosting rights.
``That's one of the things we've spoken about, the fact that we went into the last couple of games with a real 20-wicket, winning-the-game focus,'' Bailey said.
``That really showed up in the way we played and our intensity. We feel that when we're looking to win the game, that's when we play our best cricket and I don't think that'll be any different this week.
``It's too long a game to go in with a negative or drawing mindset. With five days, there's plenty of opportunity to make up lost time if there is the odd shower.''
Both teams held indoor net sessions at a rain-soaked Bellerive yesterday, the Bulls celebrating the double delight of James Hopes being given the all-clear after his wife Maria gave birth to their daughter Emerson Charlotte on Wednesday.
Preparing for his seventh final, last year's player of the match Chris Hartley admitted his side was quietly confident as it held all three domestic titles.
Hartley hoped for a final as good as last year's and befitting a competition in which just four points separated all six teams.
``Tasmania has built some good momentum and we've been going along steadily but both sides match up well and know how to win a game of cricket,'' he said.
``It's been a fantastic competition and deserves to have a final to match.''
Bailey described it as "a calculated risk" to go in without a specialist spinner but said the part-time quartet of Mark Cosgrove, Jonathan Wells, Ricky Ponting and even Jordan Silk would be able to provide respite for the four front-line pacemen.
Play begins at 10.45am today.