With the pre-season nearing its end, interim Tigers coach Ali de Winter and his side are ready for the season to get underway.
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Flying to the Gold Coast on Tuesday, a 14-man squad will train before being trimmed on the weekend for next week's Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.
"We've carried the theme of attitude and effort right throughout our training program and along with that comes decision making and execution, all the things you talk about that are really important to playing consistent cricket," de Winter said.
"We know that we've been less than consistent when we've played on the road, we play quite well at Blundstone Arena, being our home, but we know we've got to get better on the road and if we are as good as the last game we played in Perth last year, we will start the season really well."
Playing the Shield game and one-dayer against the Bulls, the Tigers were meant to be two games into their campaign already but COVID-19 delayed the season once again.
Working alongside coaching consultant and former Tigers coach Greg Shipperd as well as Wade Townsend, de Winter said the announcement of a full-time coach is nearing and he's enjoyed his time at the wheel so far.
"It's scratched an itch that I had a little while ago.
"I've enjoyed the last three months and particularly hooking back up with an old mate from many years ago, it seems like only yesterday that I was under Greg as a player but I'm certainly looking forward to the playing part now that we've put the pre-season behind us."
With de Winter previously stating he's not applying for the full-time gig, Shipperd joined him in that stance, jokingly saying he's "running away from full-time work".
Praising the talent pool and coaching during his time at the Tigers, the Sydney Sixers coach is hoping the strong pre-season helps the team play to its potential.
"It's been beautifully prepared by Allister and Wade and the rest of the support staff team, I get the feeling and vibe that it's a really hungry group ready to take the next step forward.
"They've got a wonderful, innovative under-the-tarpaulin training area as the best training preparation you can get given the weather circumstances down here.
"The players have been prepped mentally around the game and finding their identity as how they want to play their cricket."
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
