After registering just two wins in 17 games last season, the NSW revival under new coach Greg Shipperd has begun with a massive one-day win on the back of a stunning innings from Jack Edwards.
Perennial domestic powerhouses, the Blues lost their way last summer, failing to register a single Sheffield Shield win for the first time in nearly 90 years of competition and winning only two one-day games.
Shipperd was installed as coach, star veteran Moises Henriques was made captain again and the reset has worked after Edwards smashed 11 fours and four sixes, making 92 off just 63 balls in his team’s six wicket-win at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.
It could mark the start of a turnaround for NSW who won just two of seven one-day games last summer, a horror run that included being bowled out for just 76 against Victoria.
“We’ve had a good pre-season and everyone was in a good place mentally to start,” Edwards said.
It came as Tasmanian speedster Riley Meredith’s red-hot start to the season was derailed in just his second over, with the 27-year-old forced from the field due to injury.
A rapid spell from the Australian prospect had troubled Victoria in their first Marsh Cup game as he claimed 1-29 from his 10 overs, but against the Blues he only made it through 11 balls.
The fast bowler’s injury was a further blow for the Tasmanians who have lost the opening two matches of their one-day campaign and keeper Matthew Wade was given a two-game suspension after a third code of conduct breach in the past 18 months.