Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
Blues coach Phil Jaques will miss the NSW-Tasmania Marsh Sheffield Shield match which starts at the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow after he returned a positive result to a COVID test.
His deputy, Chandika Hathurusingha, will assume the role as the team’s acting coach.
The former Sri Lankan international said he wanted the Blues to continue with the form they displayed in last week’s wins over Queensland’s highly fancied Sheffield Shield and One-Day teams.
“Phil is really disappointed he can’t be here,” said Hathurusingha. “He’s worked very hard this season to prepare this group to perform the way they did [at the Gabba], and I hope he’ll be back soon.
“In saying that, it’s a pleasure to [fill in for him] because we have a group that’s shaping nicely into a good team of cricketers.
“They performed very well in Brisbane to get two wins [the Shield and One-Day match] and we’ll be aiming to continue with the good work.
“It’s all about confidence . . . we had a few distractions going into that match [with injuries and COVID] but the fact the boys didn’t allow it to affect them shows they’re in a good head space and that they trust their preparation and their own game.
“This game against Tasmania is another good opportunity for the players to show what they’re capable of.”
Cricket NSW Head of Male Cricket, Michael Klinger, said the young Blues had taken plenty of positives out of the win over a full-strength Queensland team which boasted the likes of Test players Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne.
“It was a huge effort in Brisbane, and considering it is such a young batting line up it’s going to be – going forward – a great experience for all of them,” said Klinger.
“The last week has been a good one, besides the way the Shield and One-Day team performed, our Metro Second XI chased down 450 [against Tasmania’s Second XI] for a great win. Hopefully we can keep it going against Tasmania when this game gets underway at the SCG.”
While Daniel Hughes remains sidelined due to COVID, former Australia Test keeper Peter Nevill will bolster the team with what’s been described as some ‘welcome experience’ after recovering from his shoulder injury.
“Peter has yet again proven his professionalism by working hard to return from his shoulder injury,” Klinger said.
“You wouldn’t expect anything other than that from him, he’s an ultra-professional and it’s great to have back the experience he provides.”
