Throughout Australia, NSW are often accused of being the gateway to the national cricket team. But per head of population, Tasmania is clearly the current powerhouse in the sport in Australia.
On Tuesday at Lord’s, the state with just two-and-a-half per cent of the country’s population will boast three members in the Test side for the first time in Ricky Ponting, Ben Hilfenhaus and Tim Paine.
None of them are out-of-towners, all born and bred in the Apple Isle even if Sydney-based Ponting doesn’t spend so much time in his home state these days.
Not only is the national team’s leader from Tasmania but also the side’s No.2 coach Troy Cooley and two of the four national selectors.
On-field, the former poor cousins of Australian cricket have been on the rise, claiming a maiden Sheffield Shield triumph in 2006/07 and three of the past seven domestic one-day titles.
Wicketkeeper Paine, who makes his Test debut against Pakistan at Lord’s on Tuesday, said Tasmania’s performances on the domestic scene had made it hard for them to be overlooked for higher honours.
“The last few years we have started to win some titles down there and I suppose with more team success there had been more individual success, so we are starting to build a good group down there,” he said.
“There were three or four guys playing for Australia A last week, so it is good that the Tassie boys are starting to be recognised.
“We are fighting against it but these days the way that cricket has become, we have guys from other states and other states have guys from Tassie.
“We are starting to get a good winning culture and a successful culture, so that is good.”
In modern times, David Boon blazed the trail for Tasmanian cricketers before Ponting showed youngsters that anything was possible on the international stage.
“He definitely gives you a bit of belief, doesn’t he,” said Hilfenhaus.
“He is one of the great players of all time, so obviously him being a Tasmanian has been a good thing as well.”
The Tigers have benefited from a professional approach under the likes of coach Tim Coyle and astute recruiting from interstate in the past decade.
And importantly they have also made sure to foster local talents such as Hilfenhaus, Paine, Brett Geeves and George Bailey.
“It is obviously a reflection on how things have been going down there in the last few years,” said Hilfenhaus.
“Obviously the more flags you keep winning, I mean there are obviously reasons, so you start looking at why.
“No surprise that Tasmania is starting to get a bit more representation at this level.”
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