New honour board for Tasmanian Tigers batsman Scott Mason

HIS memory lives on for those who played beside him and now a visual reminder has been struck to remember Tasmanian state cricketer Scott Mason.

Cricketer Scott Mason died in 2005 after having a heart attack in the nets at the age of just 28.

HIS memory lives on for those who played beside him and now a visual reminder has been struck to remember Tasmanian state cricketer Scott Mason.

An honour board was yesterday unveiled at Blundstone Arena for the gritty left-hand batsman, who died of a heart attack while batting in the nets in 2005. Mason was just 28 at the time and his death rocked Tasmania’s closeknit cricket community.

Scott’s dad Winston and nephew Lachie unveiled the honour board in front of a room full of emotional Tigers and Victorian players, who began their annual Scott Mason memorial Sheffield Shield clash at 2pm.

Spinner Xavier Doherty, one of just a handful of players remaining in the state squad who took to the field with Mason, paid tribute to a close friend whose life was taken far too early.

Scott Mason’s dad Winston Mason, right, and his nephew Lachie Mason with the new honour board. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“It is a little bit hard but also quite special to remember Scott, he is never far from our thoughts,” Doherty said.

“Scott was someone who fiercely loved cricket, he lived and breathed it.

“I was five or six years younger but he was a real mentor for me.

“He was just starting his career when his life was taken from him. He was someone who was a real heartbeat of the team who the guys really fed off.”

Mason played 28 first class matches for the Tigers, scoring 1252 runs at an average of 27.2, with two centuries.

Cricket Tasmania photographer and historian Rick Smith has written a book titled Scott Mason: A Memoir, which has been limited to 174 copies — Mason’s highest score in Tasmanian colours.

Copies of the book, which costs $19.95, can be purchased from CT reception or the Museum and Library at Blundstone Arena.

The Scott Mason honour board. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Originally published as New honour board for Tasmanian Tigers batsman Scott Mason