Silk scores first half-century against NSW despite injury

Even after registering three ducks in his first four trips to the crease Jordan Silk never lost faith in his form and he was rewarded with his first half century of the season in the crushing nine wicket victory over NSW.

TIGERS opener Jordan Silk concedes he may have returned too soon from the blow which broke his wrist and halted the momentum he was building into his Sheffield Shield season.

Silk had produced several decent starts in Tasmania’s opening two matches but was forced to the sidelines when he was struck on the wrist from Riley Meredith in the nets prior to the first home match against Victoria at the end of October.

It saw him miss a pair of Shield games before the Big Bash and after playing an important role in the Sydney Sixers’ title, he has struggled to regain touch since the competition resumed.

Tigers batsman Jordan Silk hits the winning runs on day 3 of the Marsh Sheffield Shield cricket match between the Tasmanian Tigers and the NSW Blues at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Sunday, March 8, 2020. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

However even after registering three ducks in his first four trips to the crease the 27-year-old never lost faith in his form and he was rewarded with his first half century of the season in the crushing nine wicket victory over NSW.

Silk finished unbeaten on 67 to help Tasmania overhaul its 129-run target inside three days, hitting the winnings runs after cutting Test spinner Nathan Lyon to the rope.

“It has not been an ideal post Big Bash, it hasn’t really been an ideal season for me in fact with Shield cricket,” Silk said.

“I got a few starts early in the year and then missed a couple of games with my arm and started really poorly after Big Bash.

“But I felt I made some strides even against WA last week, even though I missed out I felt the way I was batting was how I want to go about my cricket.

“I had a quick surgery done and whether I came back too early I don’t know at this stage, maybe I underestimated the impact it might have on my season and thought I would be able to kick off where I left before I broke it.

“It just halted my season and I didn’t see that coming to be honest.

Tigers batsmen Jordan Silk (left) and Charlie Wakim celebrate after Silk hit the winning runs on day 3 of the Marsh Sheffield Shield cricket match between the Tasmanian Tigers and the NSW Blues at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Sunday, March 8, 2020. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

“I picked up some momentum in the back end of BBL and then almost back to square one again the first couple of Shield games, but certainly pleasing to get a few runs, it is a nice feeling.”

Silk landed a dreaded pair at the Gabba when Queensland routed the Tigers for 78 – seven days after he pitched in 27 not out from 15 balls in the BBL final.

But since then the entire batting group has bounced back to provide vital contributions in consecutive victories.

“You just have to stick fat, it is a place I have been before, I have missed out plenty of times over my career,” Silk said of his lean trot.

“You will have times where you miss out, that’s opening the batting, but trying to stay upbeat is critical.

“That fear of failure, it is trying to lose that as much as you can and not just surviving but look to score.”