Hungry for runs and tired of making the same mistakes, a more patient Nic Maddinson is plundering and punishing opposing attacks in the domestic-one day cricket competition.
NSW opener Maddinson (118 not out off 118 balls) boosted his run haul for the competition to 312 at an average of 104, in the Blues eight-wicket win over Tasmania at Sydney's Hurstville Oval on Monday.
Another red-hot player, paceman Mitchell Starc (5-39), improved his tournament wicket tally to 19 at an incredible average of six apiece from four games.
He went for 24 of his first three overs, but claimed four for three in his final nine-ball spell, as the Tigers were dismissed for 217 from 46.3 overs.
Two rain delays meant the Blues original target of 218 was revised down to 193 from 43 overs.
Unbeaten NSW, who fielded an all international XI for the third straight game, got there with 25 balls to spare, with showman Maddinson clinching the win with a six.
He scored 108, 12 and 74 in his three previous knocks, but it took him 42 innings and five and a bit seasons to get his first one-day ton.
Asked why the penny had finally dropped this season, Maddinson quipped "through making the same mistakes for five years you get a bit sick of it after a while.
"It's just that hunger for runs. Looking at guys like (NSW and Australia captain) Steve Smith, who when he gets a hundred keeps going.
"When you're in form you've got to make the most of it, so that's what my mindset is going forward in the one-day tournament.
"(I'm) Not looking for the boundary ball quite as often and be happy to get down the other end and just chill out for a little while."
Either side of the first delay, openers Maddinson and Ed Cowan (47) put on 117 in 24.5 overs.
Smith, who started the tournament with scores of 143 not out and 72, recorded his second straight duck.
Dismissed off his second delivery in his last knock, he was stumped first ball on Monday off spinner and World Cup squad teammate Xavier Doherty, who had bowled Cowan the previous ball.
Tasmania's topscorer was Dom Michael (54), who smashed Starc for four early boundaries, before being yorked in the paceman's second spell.
Australia representatives James Faulkner (51) and George Bailey (48) also got a start for Tasmania.
"On a small ground you need at least 300-plus and I thought `Maddo' batted exceptionally well," Faulkner said.
"We couldn't get early wickets and there wasn't enough pressure sustained for the innings."
NSW have improved their record to 4-0 and Tasmania have dropped to 1-2.
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