Cricket in Tasmania

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Australia. In a 2007 survey, cricket generates equal interest in all regions (including Tasmania). Tasmania has its own cricket team that competes annually in the Australian cricket season, called the Tasmanian Tigers (nicknamed the Tigers). The season consists of the first class Sheffield Shield matches as well as the limited overs Ford Ranger Cups. For those who are not familiar with cricket terms (I wasn’t!), first class matches are standard international matches that comprise of matches of three or more days (so first class matches are played in England, South Africa, West Indes, etc). Limited-overs matches are domestic tournaments played in Australia and played between teams represented by the six Australian states. From the very beginning of cricket history in Australia, Tasmania has played a big role: the Tigers played against Victoria in the first cricket game in Australia in 1851 (which the Tigers won). However, because Tasmania’s geographic isolation, the team developed much slower than the other teams, focusing more on amateurism rather than professional development. Recently though, the Tigers have developed into a competitive team, winning their first Sheffield Shield title in the 2006-2007 season. They won again in 2010-11 and 2012-13. They have also won four of the Ford Ranger Cups. The Tasmanian Tigers will be playing 2/7 for a Sheffield Shield game, if anyone is down to watch a game!

Sources: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania_cricket_team

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-class_cricket

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Shield

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_domestic_limited-overs_cricket_tournament