Desire to compete after WBBL flop pleases Tasmanian coach as side faces must win WNCL clash

The Hobart Hurricanes’ WBBL failure had state coach Salliann Briggs concerned leading into the WNCL season, but the squad has bounced back and remains in the hunt for spot in final

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THE Tigers’ response to an underwhelming WBBL campaign has come as a surprise to coach Salliann Beams as the squad strives to stay in contention for the WNCL final.

Tasmania faces South Australia in Adelaide in its final round match on Friday, needing to secure a victory before relying on other results to fall its way to feature in its first decider.

After flying out of the blocks to win their first four 50-over games and trying with powerhouse NSW, the Tigers have lost their past two to let slip a dominant position.

And while disappointed after the fast start, Beams is proud of how the players bounced back from a Big Bash tournament which saw the Hurricanes land another wooden spoon.

Nicola Carey, who has been a pivotal part of the Tigers form resurgence in the WNCL, will miss the side’s last match on Australian duties. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“It’s how we have competed, we have pushed teams really hard, even Victoria _ which you could say is a bunch of international cricketers _ we took them to the 49th over,” Beams said.

“We have had to recruit some players to fill some gaps and make sure we get the right balance in our team but the level of cricket we have played is really fantastic.

“More from the mindset [the turnaround] because the competition in Sydney was pretty tough and I was worried really about the hangover it might have.

“But the girls had a good break and came back and have performed really well, the application and their desire to compete and show actually what we can do.”

While the Tigers lose star duo Nicola Carey and Belinda Vakarewa to national duties, Brooke Hepburn and Corinne Hall return to the squad.

Hall has missed the last five games with a calf strain.

The Scorpions have also been hit by unavailability with key cogs Darcie Brown, Tahlia McGrath and Megan Schutt on Australia’s tour of New Zealand.

“It is a loss, it is one of those things though it happens the same time every year, we know we aren’t going to get the Aussies at the back-end of the season,” Beams said of not having Carey and Vakarewa.

“But it just gives opportunity for other girls who want to bat a bit higher and want to take the new ball.”

TIGERS WNCL SQUAD: Sasha Moloney (c), Sam Bates, Maddison Brooks, Sarah Coyte, Heather Graham, Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Emma Manix-Geeves, Meg Phillips, Rachel Priest (vc), Amy Smith, Emily Smith, Naomi Stalenberg

Belinda Vakarewa is also in the Australian squad which is currently in New Zealand. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

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