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Victory Machine

New South Wales require another 568 runs with 10 wickets remaining. In one day.

I don't think that Tassie can lose from here. With Lambert promoted to, NSW may have an early slog and chase hard. The risk for them (obviously) is losing a few wickets. If this happens Tassie could easily roll their soft middle order. If they do, NSW will officially become our bitch.

Either way, I’m confident that Tasmania will win the Shield for the first time ever. Whatever, worst case scenario and they lose, I’ll just stress that the final is a load of rubbish and Tassie finished on top, and that was enough to win the shield for 75 years so everyone else can get fucked and we’re still the champions. And looking closer at the side only makes me happier.

Michael Di Venuto; Tim Paine; George Bailey; Sean Clingeleffer; Luke Butterworth; Adam Griffith; and Ben Hilfenhaus are all Tasmanians born and bred.

Travis Birt and Damien Wright are from elsewhere, but have only played first class cricket in Australia for the Tigers. Michael Dighton was a highly regard junior in WA, got 11 games for WA, but really has only had a decent run in the Apple Isle. Similar is Dan Marsh, who had 4 First Class games for SA, but has really hit his straps as a captain and batsman in Tasmania. I don't think the rest of the country (and maybe many Tasmanians) really recognise how well he has done here. 5000 runs at nearly 40 for Tassie is not to be sniffed at, given the seamer’s wickets of the 2001–5 period. Chuck in 127 wickets (also at around 40), and you’re looking at a solid set of figures.

Given that the experience of ‘fly-in’ players amounts to just 15 games from 2 players, this is a long way from the foreign legion of other state's second XI players that we've had in the past, and proves the wisdom of the selection panel's persistence with young and talented local players. This was despite some dreadful loses a couple of years back. Honestly, the state should be really, really proud of this team and I hope that they get the recognition that they deserve.

I’m particularly happy with the performance of Clingeleffer. I reckon that he’s the best keeper in Australia, and is a really good contributor with the bat. Yeah, he’s a bit of a nudger in the age of Gilchrist, but an average of 27 (and a 44 and 107 in a Shield final!) demonstrates that he’s no mug and well worth his spot. I hope the selectors get the message and don’t put pressure on Tim Pain and ruin him Wayne Phillips-style.

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