NOWRA’S Nic Maddinson and his NSW Blues’ undefeated start to the JLT Sheffield Shield season came to an end after a 10 wicket loss to Tasmania at Blundstone Arena on Wednesday.
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The ladder-leading Blues were dismissed for 184 in their second innings after lunch on day four as the Tigers claimed an upset win.
Fringe Test quick Jackson Bird took seven wickets for the match to keep his name in the minds of national selectors.
Resuming at 2-50 on Wednesday morning, NSW lost six wickets in an extended opening session.
Bird (4-34) found edges from Nic Maddinson and Ed Cowan to start the collapse.
He was ably assisted by young quicks Tom Rogers (3-32) and Sam Rainbird (2-30) as NSW crumbled to 8-124 at lunch.
Peter Nevill (70) offered resistance in a 90-minute stand with tailender Doug Bollinger as the pair soaked up time with rain approaching.
Nevill's biggest knock for the Shield season ended when part-time medium-pacer Jordan Silk snapped up a sharp caught-and-bowled catch.
NSW managed to level the overall score, forcing Tasmania into a second innings pursuit of one run.
Silk then crunched a boundary to give the Tigers their second win of the season.
Silk earlier put the Tigers in the box seat with a ton in their first innings of 4(dec)-392 after wild rain wiped out day one on Sunday.
NSW mustered 208 in reply before being sent back in.
During the match, Maddinson rebounded from a second ball duck in the first innings, with a crafty 39 in the second innings.
The JLT Sheffield Shield will now take a break, as the T20 Big Bash goes into full swing – with the Blues next match against Western Australia on February 8 at the WACA, Perth.
