TASMANIAN captain George Bailey says the Tigers’ opening day-night Sheffield Shield match against reigning champions Victoria on Tuesday is the perfect litmus test.
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The Launceston-born ex-national Twenty20 skipper said that the Tigers squad named for the MCG clash was an exciting one full of experience and youth.
It includes Australian representatives Jackson Bird, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Cam Boyce and Alex Doolan and several upcomers.
One notable absentee is in-form one-day captain Tim Paine, selectors opting instead for youngster Jake Doran.
“It’s great to see a couple of new faces,” Bailey said.
“There’s always anticipation and excitement for the start of the year and coupled with playing against a strong Victorian outfit it’s going to be a really interesting start that will let us know where we are at.”
The former Launceston Church Grammar student said consistent cricket was vital to Tasmania’s fortunes following a dismal end to last season in which Dan Marsh’s men finished last with just two outright victories.
“If we can play our best cricket consistently than there is no reason why we can’t be in the mix for Shield final come the end of the season,” said Bailey, freshly back from Australian ODI tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa.
“Given our results in the past two years our best has been good enough, we beat Victoria last year comfortably at home… it’s just us being able to replicate that week-in-week-out.”
Bailey only had Monday’s training session to get used to the pink ball.
If selected, fast bowler Cameron Stevenson will make his First Class debut, while leg spinner Boyce and Simon Milenko will represent the state for the first time in whites.
The match hits off at 2pm.
TIGERS SQUAD
George Bailey (c), Jackson Bird (vc), Cameron Boyce, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran (wk), Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Andrew Fekete, Caleb Jewell, Simon Milenko, Cameron Stevenson, Beau Webster.