Playing just the second first-class match of his career, young Tasmanian batter Tim Ward has punished the Queenslanders.
Tasmanian rookie Tim Ward has foiled would-be Test bowler Michael Neser by smashing a century in just the second first-class match of his young career.
Queensland had no answers for Ward, 23, who led the Tigers with steady hands on the first day of the rescheduled Sheffield Shield clash.
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Six of Ward’s 17 boundaries came from Neser deliveries as the Bulls’ title defence got off to a shaky start in Adelaide.
It was Neser and Queensland who had the upper hand early, though.
Hoping to take advantage of Karen Rolton Oval’s fast outfield, the Tasmanians elected to bat after winning the toss, only to lose Caleb Jewell just five overs in.
Jewell edged a crisp Neser delivery straight to Usman Khawaja at third slip, but his opening partner soon stood up and turned the tide.
Without Matthew Wade, who is overseas on T20 World Cup duty, the Taswegians needed a hero, and found one in young Ward.
On his way to an unbeaten 126, he batted with all the composure of a veteran with none of the experience.
“I was really happy to do my part for the team,” Ward said afterwards.
“Hopefully we can cash in on a big one tomorrow. I’ve done all the hard work now so hopefully we can set up a game and get the win.”
Ward’s masterclass with the willow put an early dent in Neser’s hopes of finally earning a call-up to the Test side.
Widely considered the greatest current Aussie bowler never to have played Test cricket, Neser is stuck behind stalwarts Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the Australian fast-bowling stakes.
He was unlucky to miss out on making his Test debut last summer, when the series with India was drawn at 1-1 and Australia could have done with a fresh injection into the attack.
The big three are all playing in the World Cup this month and next, and given the pandemic kept the Aussies from touring this winter, are likely to come into the Ashes having not played first-class cricket since either April (Starc and Hazlewood) or February (Cummins).
If one of those goes down injured, Neser could well earn a call-up to the national side, but he’ll want to make the most of the remaining Shield clashes and reassert himself on day two of this one.
The Tigers finished the day with 285 runs and three wickets down, having lost Ben McDermott (71) in the fourth-last over of the day.
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