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Former Test batsman Ed Cowan says he still has hopes of national selection as he signs on for another season with Tasmania.
The 32-year-old has been the Tigers’ only consistent batsman in recent Sheffield Shield matches and the team will look to him for a strong home ground performance against Queensland, starting Monday.
“We need some big runs from the top order, myself included,” Cowan said of the Bellerive Oval fixture.
And on a personal level, Cowan is still out to impress selectors.
“I still have desires to play Test cricket,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“Whether or not that ever happens again, I still think you need that fire in your belly.”
With four first-class centuries this season, the left-hander is a clear standout for Tassie among a batting line-up that has repeatedly handed the heavy lifting to the middle and lower order.
Allrounder Jon Wells has been dropped for the clash with Queensland, replaced by young local Beau Webster – a move coach Dan Marsh said should stir up Tasmania.
“Beau comes into the team on the back of some really good form in club cricket,” Marsh said.
“We’re looking for a lift from that batting group and I’m very confident we’ll get that.”
Tasmania are coming off an innings-and-91-run loss to NSW last week.
“We haven’t hit the panic button,” Marsh said.
“We had a bad loss and we’re keen to rectify that this game.”
In contrast, lowly Queensland produced a thumping innings-and-13-run win in three days to beat Victoria last week.
The Bulls welcome back captain James Hopes, who missed the last round due to injury.
His return forces out Ben Cutting, while the side still boasts Chris Lynn, who posted 250 last match, and century-making wicketkeeper/batsman Chris Hartley.
Tasmanian squad: Alex Doolan (capt), Jordan Silk, Jackson Bird, Luke Butterworth, Ed Cowan, Ben Dunk, Andrew Fekete, Ben Hilfenhaus, Dominic Michael, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Beau Webster.
Queensland squad: James Hopes (capt), Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Luke Feldman, Peter Forrest, Peter George, Chris Hartley, Charlie Hemphrey, Chris Lynn, Michael Phillipson, Simon Milenko, Mark Steketee.
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