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NSW out for 32 in Shield, Bird takes 7-18

3 minute read

NSW were rolled for their lowest ever Sheffield Shield total, with Tasmania's Jackson Bird taking a career-best 7-18 to help his side to a 492-run lead.

JACKSON BIRD of the Tigers.
JACKSON BIRD of the Tigers. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

NSW have been left to lick their wounds after being skittled for just 32 by Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield, their lowest-ever total.

Former Test quick Jackson Bird was the chief destroyer with a career-best 7-18 as the Blues crumbled in just 19.3 overs at Bellerive Oval on Sunday.

The Tigers decided against enforcing the follow-on and have set the visitors a mammoth fourth innings target of 493 for victory.

The stunning NSW collapse was the fourth-lowest score in the 129-year history of Australia's first-class competition, beating their previous worst of 53 against Tasmania at Hobart in 2007.

Only skipper Peter Nevill (10 not out) made it to double figures as Bird wreaked havoc after earlier smashing a career-best run-a-ball 54.

Bird picked up three scalps in his first eight deliveries to leave the Blues reeling at 3-0, with Daniel Hughes, Daniel Solway and Kurtis Patterson all failing to score.

"It was just one of those days where it felt the ball was coming out nicely from ball one," he said.

"I felt like (the performance) was just around the corner. (I've) felt like that for probably the last 12 months but haven't really got a bag of wickets like that for a while.

"(But I) didn't think it was going to be as good as that. I feel like i'm bowling as well as I have for the last couple of years."

NSW collapsed to 5-17 at lunch and were all out shortly afterwards as Bird ran through the tail.

Everything fell in the 34-year-old's favour, including an edge off Trent Copeland that lobbed off the hands of third slip and was caught by Matthew Wade at first.

Bird, who has nine Tests to his name, picked up his 300th Shield wicket with his fourth ball.

In-form Blues allrounder Sean Abbott didn't bat and hasn't bowled since splitting the webbing on his hand early on day one.

"It wasn't our finest hour with the bat, no two ways about it," NSW coach Phil Jaques said.

"I know that the players are hurting about their batting performance and they're going to want to do something about it in the second innings."

Tasmania posted 333 in their first innings early on day two, with Tim Paine top-scoring with 87.

He combined for an 83-run stand with Bird, who took the long handle to a strong NSW attack and brought up his half-century with a straight six off Copeland.

The Tigers, chasing their first win of the Shield season, were all out for 191 in the second innings, with Test spinner Nathan Lyon taking 4-48.

Paine was again his side's top scorer with an unbeaten 40.

LOWEST SHEFFIELD SHIELD SCORES

27 - South Australia v NSW, November 1955

29 - South Australia v NSW, December 2004

31 - Victoria v NSW, January 1907

32 - NSW v Tasmania, March 2021

35 - Victoria v NSW, January 1927.

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