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THURSDAY 18 JANUARY 2001
The ups and downs of state cricket: Jamie Cox reflects on a remarkable five days
I have often heard people say that a week can be a long time in sport, due to the amount of things that can change during that time. But, for the Tigers, a week can be shortened to a day!
To bounce back and beat the Bulls in the Mercantile Mutual Cup a day after they had completely demoralised us in the Pura Cup was a terrific effort and one which has kept us well in contention for the one-day competition.
The four-day effort (or three days as it turned out) was a total disaster and particularly disappointing, as we have generally provided stiff opposition for the competition trendsetters during my time involved in first-class cricket. Our batsmen simply did not cope with the pressure their bigger, stronger and quicker bowlers - Dawes and Kasprowicz in particular - were able to exert on a Bellerive wicket with plenty of bounce. Controlling momentum means everything in a game of cricket and after being bowled out for 112 in the first innings, we never looked like taking control.
The enormity of the loss and the fact that it was our third in a row led to a deeper than normal post-mortem amongst the team's senior group and coaching staff. I recall saying to Chief Executive, David Johnston, during this process that at least losing in three days gave us the opportunity to get back to grade cricket for a day and clear our minds before the Mercantile Mutual match. He quite rightly looked at me like I was an idiot but what prophetic words they turned out to be! Maybe that extra day would also give the Bulls a little extra time to celebrate and take the edge of them for Sunday?
Sunday presented a wet and gloomy start and play was delayed by half an hour to allow drizzle to pass. This is not normally significant at Bellerive given the nature of the Tasmanian climate but the fact that Peter Apps had decided to listen to the forecast and offer the wicket a little drink after the Pura Cup match, only to see no sun on Saturday, made it very significant.
To say I was delighted to win the toss would be an understatement, as bowling first provided just the advantage for which we were looking. After being caught on the wrong end of a similar toss against NSW back in November it was also a piece of luck that I thought we deserved.
The white ball leapt and seamed alarmingly and Queensland, quite rightly in my opinion, decided that attack was the best method, as the unplayable was always around the corner. We wanted to restrict them to a score of 150-180 but ended up chasing 100, which was very pleasant given that the conditions were never going to change that much. We adopted the same aggressive approach as the Bulls and Shaun Young's excellent cameo half century got us home just seconds before more weather closed in from the south-west.
It was a bizarre game and further highlighted the Jeckyll and Hyde nature of Bellerive's wicket. Most people know it as a batsman's paradise and when it's good it is exceptional. But what many forget and sometimes do not realise at all is what a fine line there is at our home ground between the wicket being a belter or a raging seamer.
The recent recruitment of Shane Watson was seen by many as being controversial, particularly those north of Tweed Heads. But, whilst it is still early, it seems to have been a very sound decision. Shane made it clear that he thought that he was ready for first-class cricket and player depth in Queensland was going to make opportunities more scarce - that's life! Despite many of the Bulls not agreeing with his assessment, he demonstrated a lot of class during a tough debut against his former state. Yet to be dismissed in three innings at this level he looks an excellent prospect and importantly a good lad, who has fitted in well amongst his new teammates. I can also assure you that there were fewer happier faces on Sunday night - just a shame that he did not actually strike the winning blow!
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More Postcards
21 December 2000
Jamie Cox on torment for Tasmania and excitement for England
26 November 2000
Jamie Cox on the whys and wherefores of Bellerive pitches and West Indian decline
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