Tigers spearhead Jackson Bird crowned best player for second consecutive year

At 34 years of age there is no slowing down Tasmanian spearhead Jackson Bird, who has claimed back-to-back Ricky Ponting medals, while two players couldn’t be split for women’s crown.

• Tigers skittle NSW to record big Shield win
• Tigers stalwart calls time on career

EVERGREEN seamer Jackson Bird has claimed back-to-back Ricky Ponting medals after another outstanding summer spearheading the Tasmanian attack.

The 34-year-old was again a dominant force in both the Sheffield Shield and One Day arenas in 2020-21, showcasing his immense talents with both the red and white balls.

Bird finished the Shield campaign as the second-leading wicket taker (35 wickets at 22.1) behind Test spinner Nathan Lyon, and also led the Tigers with the white ball, snaring 10 wickets at 24.2.

Jackson Bird has won consecutive Ricky Ponting medals. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

His improved batting was also a factor, scoring consecutive half centuries to finish the Shield campaign, improving his highest score to 64 against Western Australia in Perth.

The highlight of his season was an incredible individual performance against NSW at Blundstone Arena last month, where he snared career-best figures of 7-18 to help rout the Blues for just 32, the fourth-lowest score in Shield history.

Bird joins an elite club of just five other players to have won the state’s highest individual honour multiple times.

Nicola Carey’s outstanding season saw her named joint winner of the Tigers female cricketer of the year. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The female player of the year award concluded in thrilling fashion, with Australian star Nicola Carey tying with first-year Tiger Heather Graham.

The two all-rounders both had fantastic WNCL seasons, taking 11 wickets apiece and making aggregate run totals of 285 and 284 respectively.

First-year Tiger Heather Graham tied with Nicola Carey for the female award. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Carey set the tone for the season by making her maiden WNCL century in Tasmania’s first match of the season against the ACT, while Graham also notched a ton against NSW in Hobart.

Tom Andrews was named joint Marsh One Day Cup player of the year. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Graham finished the season with a five-wicket haul, including a hat trick.

Jordan Silk was crowned the Jack Simmons medallist for one day player of the year, edging out Tom Andrews by four votes — with the latter named joint player of the tournament alongside David Warner.

Jake Doran won the David Boon medal (Shield player of the year), while Scott Boland and Rachel Priest took home the Hobart Hurricanes best player awards.

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