Tasmania will use their one-day disappointment as motivation for a late charge in the Sheffield Shield, captain George Bailey says.
The Tigers meet South Australia in a Shield match starting on Wednesday at Adelaide Oval, the same location as their dramatic tie in the one-day final against the Redbacks last Saturday.
SA were awarded the one-day trophy because they topped the table after preliminary rounds.
Bailey wants his players, including veteran Ricky Ponting, to turn their limited overs dejection into inspiration for the Shield.
“Hopefully what we can do is harness how much it hurts … to get us into a Shield final,” he said.
Defending Shield champions Tasmania enter the encounter in third spot with 28 points – two shy of second-placed Western Australia and four points behind leaders Queensland.
SA languish last on the Shield ladder with a paltry two points.
Bailey left no doubt he rated winning a Shield a greater achievement than a one-day title.
“Personally, they’re not comparable,” he said.
“Winning a Shield final is just awesome – just how hard it is, one, to get there, and two, to win the final.
“It’s a real slog and the ultimate test of skill.
“Both teams can be very proud of the one-day cricket they played throughout the year and for the final they played.
“But if you had the choice, I would win the Sheffield Shield every day of the year.”
SA lost Callum Ferguson (broken thumb) and novice bowlers Chadd Sayers (side strain) and Carl Tietjens (groin) to injury.
The Redbacks recalled Test spinner Nathan Lyon, while also giving wicketkeeper Tim Davey his first-class debut, replacing the dropped Adam Crosthwaite.
Teams:
SA: Michael Klinger (capt), Tom Cooper, Tim Davey, Mick Delaney, Theo Doropoulos, Peter George, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Joe Mennie, Gary Putland, James Smith, Tom Stray (12th man to be named).
Tasmania: George Bailey (capt), Jackson Bird, Luke Butterworth, Mark Cosgrove, Ed Cowan, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Matt Johnston, Brady Jones, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Ricky Ponting, Jeremy Smith (12th man to be named, one to be omitted).