On the first day of the Marsh Sheffield Shield clash between Queensland and Tasmania, it is the young opener Timothy Ward that will make the highlights reel as he defied Queensland’s prolific pace attack to rack up a giant score of 126 not out.
Ward reached his maiden first-class century late in the third session as he pulled a length ball off Michael Neser’s first delivery with the new ball for a boundary through midwicket.
The 23-year-old received plenty of praise from the commentators with Adam White claiming that the way he played his innings reminded him of dynamic Queensland and Australian opener Matthew Hayden.
“I’ve said a few times today, he’s played shots that remind me of Matthew Hayden and the one to bring up his century was very much that,” White said.
The fact that it is only Ward’s second Sheffield Shield match perhaps labels the comparison as premature.
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
However, the way in which Ward patiently saw out the good balls and looked to attack the bad ones revealed the maturity and mental toughness of the young batter.
“I can’t remember seeing a player in just his second Sheffield Shield game make it look so easy,” White said.
With one century under his belt, Ward has been primed to score many more in his future as his strong century certainly sent out a warning to the other teams in the competition.
Earlier in the match, Tasmania’s number three Charlie Wakim looked strong as he faced 133 balls, scoring 62 runs, but was disappointed not to march on to three figures as he was caught marvellously by Marnus Labuschagne off Mark Steketee’s bowling.
Ben McDermott also contributed heavily with 71 off 158 but fell victim to the commentators’ curse as he hooked a short ball down Matt Renshaw’s throat off Steketee’s bowling.
With the Ashes series confirmed for this summer, the race for a middle-order spot is on. McDermott’s knock will definitely contribute towards his resume.
However, he needs to turn starts into big knocks, like his competitor Travis Head was able to achieve a couple of weeks ago.
The day that belonged to Tim Ward will definitely be of great value to the Tasmanian side as they left the field with seven wickets left in the shed and the Karen Rolton Oval pitch seeming to be showing signs of wear.
However, with Queensland’s star-studded batting order, a draw would not be out of the equation as the likes of Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, and Matt Renshaw have all been Aussie-capped and have the ability to bat for long periods of time.
JGK
Roar Guru
Good to see Bryce Street get a ton under pressure today. As for Ward - he's already behind Hayden who got a big ton on SS debut! But I'm always glad to see a youngish opener do well.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Never should have been played Gabba, Pattinson mcg where his record is insane. Starc pink ball specialist now and loves the evening conditions. Selectors need to wake up to key rotations and ground condition changes
Rellum
Roar Guru
QLD are going to have to dig deep, they will be 5 sessions of hard toil to overcome when we bat.
Kwokodile
Roar Rookie
100% agreed. Like I said early in the article I did think White's comments were a bit premature, but I think the fact that its only his second match labels Ward as someone worth looking at for the future. But like you said, with the bowlers lacking a bit of match fitness or readiness, and on a batting track, Ward will need to build on this performance over the next couple of seasons before he can think about national team selection.
Frank Delosa
Guest
Completely agree Micko, Stoinis is perhaps the most overrated player in the country. 1 big game in his career and people calling for him to be in the hall of fame. Cannot belieive h kept getting picked in the last world cup. Contributed absolutely nothing. Cannot belieive he has a CA contract too.
Paul
Roar Guru
Great to see a newbie writing about the Shield cricket, Kwokodile. Thanks for writing this piece. I have nothing but admiration for any batsman who can bat through three sessions and remain undefeated. I get that commentators are trying to liven things up, but apart from the concentration needed to make his score and the fact he;s a left-hander, I didn't see a lot of Hayden in Tim Ward. He's not the imposing figure at the wicket that Hayden was, for a start. I'd also be careful jumping on his band wagon too soon. It was certainly an innings to be proud of but it was also the Bulls first serious game of the year and I'm guessing, the first serious hit out most of their bowlers would have had this season. Hopefully Ward will build on this innings and make more scores over the coming months. Selectors want guys to bat long and often, so if he can do that and look good in the process, there's no reason why he can't be a Test chance in the coming few years.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Maxwell has been hard done by over the years, but Stoinis shouldn't be near the test side at all!
Frank Delosa
Guest
I like Neser but his time has come and gone. He has had chance after chance to be picked and the selectors are too scared to move on from the supposed "Big 3". Starc needs to be rotated in and out, perhaps Neser could slot in but I doubt it. The fact that Stoinis and Maxwell are in the Test selection talks, means we could be in for a dizzying fall in the Ashes.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Don't worry, I didn't know it was on either until I checked CA website and sure enough QLD was playing. It is not like they care if people watch or anything.
Kwokodile
Roar Rookie
Yep, and with players like Smith and Warner, who aren’t even getting game time for their respective IPL franchises, they will be lacking in match fitness and time out in the middle of the pitch. Quite concerning for the summer
Micko
Roar Rookie
"New players" as in to make their debut? I'd love to see Michael Neser get a crack, and felt he should've made his debut at The Gabba earlier this year.
Tom
I hope by “a few more chances” you mean a few more seasons to score shield runs? Let’s not get carried away. Throwing someone in test calculations after getting one first class 100 on a Karen Rolton Oval road is as insane and reactionary as it gets.
Frank Delosa
Guest
Micko, mate perhaps you aren't as big a cricket fan as the rest of us here? Who is your AUS XI for the Ashes mate? Any room for new players?
Frank delosa
Guest
Well done young man! Finally we have some hope for openers in the future. I'd give this guy a few more chances to score big in the Shield and then throw him in with Harris/Pucovski for the Ashes. Warner's time is done. Broad will likely unpick the latest shattered remnants of Warners "Test" "career". An exciting future prospect. I mentioned it yesterday. The timing of the IPL and T20 World Cup isgoing to sting AUS test side Ashes chances. The following will come from T20 to Tests in a matter of days Warner Smith Hazlewood Cummins Starc Wade (hope he isnt picked for tests)
Micko
Roar Rookie
Hang on! Wasn't this game postponed from a couple of weeks ago? Never knew it was rescheduled already! :shocked:
Kwokodile
Roar Rookie
Agreed, however, there were signs that it was deteriorating, and it's only day two. I still think it will end in a draw however due to the quality of Queensland's batting lineup and while Tasmania do boast the experience of Siddle, I feel their bowling attack is just not strong enough to force a result. But we'll see what unfolds I guess.
Prez
Roar Rookie
That pitch is a bowlers nightmare.
Kwokodile
Roar Rookie
Yes, very keen!
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Maybe the new opener to join pucovski if not whiteman . Will need quite a few more but a promising start . McDermott adding to his case for middle order start . I’m guessing the pitch is a bit of a road and will wait to see Queensland bat . More shield games can’t come soon enough with Victoria and nsw watching paint dry for several weeks