Tasmania have declared themselves free of mental demons after grabbing control of their Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at Bankstown Oval on Sunday.
Coming into the game, Tasmanian coach Dan Marsh swung the axe following two losses to start the season and his troops responded with an inspired performance on day two, having NSW rattled at 6-150 at stumps.
After posting 295 in their first innings, Tasmania's pacemen fired in the final two sessions, Jackson Bird leading the way with 3-34.
On a low and slow wicket, Bird produced a decisive spell, claiming the wickets of Moises Henriques (25) and Ben Rohrer (0) in the space of three balls in the 32nd over.
The Blues were teetering at 3-41 at the tea break after Ed Cowan (13), Ryan Carters (8) and Nic Maddinson (6) were all dismissed cheaply.
Maddinson had a golden chance to press his claims for an Australian call-up after middle order batsman Usman Khawaja was ruled out of the Adelaide and Hobart Tests.
Instead he trudged back to the pavilion visibly upset with himself after he was bowled cheaply by Hamish Kingston, who was one of four players brought in by Marsh for the clash.
Wicketkeeper Tom Triffit, also a surprise inclusion ahead of Tim Paine, made a case for a permanent spot with 54, one of three Tigers to make half centuries along with Ben Dunk (68) and Alex Doolan (65). Bird said while their line up had been unsettled, it hadn't dented their confidence.
"There were a few changes but the guys that came in knew their role in the team straight away," Bird said.
"They fitted in seemlessly today. We've all done a lot of work together in the pre-season and like most teams, our fast bowling unit is pretty close knit."
Earlier NSW looked to have a slight edge after Doug Bollinger (4-74) ran through the Tigers' top and middle order before Stephen O'Keefe (4-46) cleaned up the tail.
The day couldn't have started better for Bollinger after he sent dangerman Dunk's stumps cartwheeling with the first ball of the day.
Now NSW's hopes rest with Kurtis Patterson (56) and Sean Abbott (16) who will be tasked with carving out a patient fightback on day three.
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