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The Tasmanian Tigers will be only playing for pride when they host the New South Wales Blues who must win to keep their 2015-16 Sheffield Shield hopes alive. Join The Roar for score updates from 10:30am (AEDT).
Coming into this round nine clash, the Tigers are plastered to the bottom of the table having only won two matches all season. Even with wins in their final two games, they would need the Southern Redbacks to lose one and then a miracle to occur in terms of bonus points in order to escape the bottom of the table.
Even though the Tigers sit in last place on the table, they won their last round clash over the first-placed Victorian Bushrangers by an innings and 136 runs at home. The Tigers would only bat once in the match, as they bowled the Bushrangers out for 165 and 265, making 8 for 566 in their innings.
That was on the back of 190 from Ben Dunk, and centuries from Alex Doolan and George Bailey.
The Blues meanwhile, in the Phillip Hughes tribute match at Coffs Harbour, managed to beat the Redbacks by five wickets. Ben Rohrer was the key for the Blues, as he made a century in their second innings, guiding them home.
The win has left the Blues in third place, only a handful of bonus points behind the Queensland Bulls. With the Bulls taking on the Bushrangers this round, there is every chance they could suffer a loss so it is important the Blues get themselves into a position to pounce.
When these teams met all the way back in round three at Bansktown Oval, it was the Tigers who recorded a massive 223-run victory. It was a much needed win at that point of the season for the Tigers, against a decimated Blues side.
The Blues were without their full international contingent among others and after staying in the match during the first innings, rolling Tasmania for 295 before only making 215 they allowed the Tigers to score 7 for 313 declared in their second innings on the back of a Ben Dunk century, as he scored 143 runs.
The Blues were then bowled out for just 170, with Ryan Carters making 77 of them on a challenging wicket.
This will come down to two factors. The spin bowling of Nathan Lyon, who is keen to build for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, and the bowling of Jackson Bird, who will be trying to keep his spot for that tour.
Prediction
The Blues have a much stronger side than last time around, and far too much to play for here. With Nathan Lyon back it is difficult to see the Tigers not folding in the second innings.
Blues easily.
Join The Roar for score updates from this all important round nine Sheffield Shield clash from 10:30am (AEDT) and don’t forget to join in with your own thoughts in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde