DANIEL Hughes sent a message to onlooking national selector George Bailey on Thursday, as he notched up his fourth ton in the 2022/23 Marsh Cup season. The opener’s definitive knock, on his 34th birthday no less, saw New South Wales pick up its first win of the season, and crush Tasmania’s hopes of securing a spot in the final in one fell swoop.

Electing to bat at the toss, the Blues were spearheaded by Hughes’ 126 to set up a total of 291, which initially seemed under par at the compact North Sydney Oval. It proved more than enough though, as Tasmania’s response was full of starts but lacked any real urgency and fell well short at 189 after 40 overs.

The bonus point win sees New South Wales climb off the bottom of the ladder, leapfrogging Tasmania and Queensland into fourth with one round of games left to play. Alongside Western Australia, only Victoria or South Australia can qualify for this year’s decider, with the latter two sides set to face off on February 26.

Hughes’ remarkable week, which also yielded a Sheffield Shield century, was capped off by his super innings to pivot the Blues’ batting effort. Against a tenacious Tigers attack, Hughes formed partnerships with Oliver Davies (36), Daniel Sams (33) and Ben Dwarshuis (34), the latter of whom helped accelerate the score late on.

Competition leading wicket taker Tom Rogers (4-62) was at it again, removing Hughes’ opening partner Matthew Gilkes (19) and skipper Kurtis Patterson (0) within two balls, before also sending the dangerous Dwarshuis packing. He was ably assisted by Nathan Ellis (4-59), who prized the key wickets of Hughes, Davies, and Moises Henriques (8).

Though with the bat, Tasmania proved far less potent. Big-hitting opener Ben McDermott was trapped in front with the second ball of the innings, and despite the next eight batters posting at least 15 runs each, none of them truly got going. Beau Webster‘s lackadaisical runout off the arm of Chris Green was indicative of the Tigers’ lack of intensity, as they continually failed to force the issue.

Green had a golden day in the field with 2-40 and two catches to go with his runout, while fellow spinner Adam Zampa picked up innings-best figures of 3-45. Sean Abbott (2-39) also snared two key wickets, including that of Tasmania’s top-scorer Mac Wright (32).

The Tigers face a tough ask in ending their season on a high, when they host a West Australian side which is poised to regain Mitch Marsh and Jhye Richardson on February 26. New South Wales locks horns with Queensland on the same day, with the competition’s final set to be played on March 8.

SCORECARD

TOSS: New South Wales won the toss and elected to bat.
RESULT: New South Wales (291) def. Tasmania (189) by 102 runs.
POTM: Dan Hughes (New South Wales)

1st Innings: New South Wales 291 (49.5)
Dan Hughes 126 (130), Oliver Davies 36 (41), Ben Dwarshuis 34 (25)
Nathan Ellis 4-59 (9.5), Tom Rogers 4-62 (10), Jackson Bird 1-43 (10)

2nd Innings: Tasmania 189 (39.6)
Mac Wright 32 (60), Jake Doran 31 (34), Beau Webster 21 (33)
Adam Zampa 3-45 (9), Sean Abbott 2-39 (8), Chris Green 2-40 (10)