Mac Wright scores maiden one day century for Tigers against New South Wales
Two Tigers have delivered with the bat and the ball to ensure Tasmania avoids the wooden spoon in the Marsh One-Day Cup.
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UPDATED: A MAIDEN century from Mac Wright and a masterclass from Jackson Bird has kept Tasmania from finishing last in the Marsh One Day Cup.
Wright (104 from 116 balls) and Bird’s 6-25 helped the Tigers win their last match of the tournament against New South Wales at Blundstone Arena today.
Wright, 21, was playing only his second game for Tasmania, and his efforts made him the second youngest Tigers player to make a one day century behind Tim Paine.
The Tigers were 3-16 with the top three batters unable to reach double figures, and when George Bailey (8) fell in possibly his last white ball game for Tasmania, NSW had the hosts at 4-53.
Wright combined with Simon Milenko (25) for a 109-run partnership for the sixth wicket before James Faulkner (49) and Nathan Ellis (25 not out) hit some late runs to get the Tigers to 9-251.
Liam Hatcher was the pick of NSW bowlers taking 3-46 and Hayden Kerr (1-17) was impressive on debut, keeping it tight off his eight overs.
However, Kerr, who made 14 opening the batting, was one of Bird’s six scalps, with the tall seamer taking the first four wickets.
Bird, along with the rest of the Tigers bowlers, made light work of the NSW batters, bowling them out for 131.
Playing in his first win for Tasmania, Wright admitted everything hasn’t sunk in yet since debuting on Monday.
“You grow up watching this level on TV and then within a few years you’re out there playing,” Wright said.
“It all happened really quickly.”
The middle order partnerships proved crucial for Tasmania and Wright said the plan was kept simple.
“We just said we need to get as deep as we could in our innings,” he said.
“If we lost a few more wickets at the start it didn’t give us a chance to go big at the end.
“We were just trying to stay calm and keep wickets for the end because we had the likes of Nath who can give them a whack.”
After making his century, Wright had the best seat in the house to watch Bird do his work.
“Getting to watch at first slip is awesome,” Wright said.
“Him in his natural habitat is so good to see.”
EARLIER: MAC Wright’s maiden one day century has helped the Tigers to a competitive score of 9/251 in their Marsh One Day Cup match against New South Wales at Blundstone Arena.
The 21-year-old became the second youngest player to score a one day century for Tasmania when he brought up the milestone in the 47th over.
Wright finished with 104 off 117 balls after a toothless Tasmanian top order once again started poorly having been sent into bat by NSW.
It took only six balls for Harry Conway to find the edge of Ben McDermott, who was caught safely by Jack Edwards.
Edwards then had another catch to his name when Caleb Jewell edged a drive off a fuller delivery from Liam Hatcher.
Beau Webster (8) and George Bailey (5) soon followed, leaving the Tigers 4-53, but Wright and Tasmania’s lower order rescued the innings.
All-rounders Simon Milenko (25) and James Faulkner (49), along with bowler Nathan Ellis (25 not out) supported Wright’s impressive display.
Liam Hatcher was the pick of NSW bowlers, taking 3-46, and Hayden Kerr (1-17) was impressive on debut, keeping it tight off his eight overs.
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