Times of their lives for Tigers' two-of-a-kind

One bats at the top of the order; the other at the bottom. They're both tall and they're both right handers. They were both born in Queensland, both made their first-class debuts in Western Australia, and both are now at the heart of a stunning Tasmanian revival aimed at landing their adopted state its maiden first-class crown.

It could be added that they were both born in April 1976 - in the very same week, in fact. Also that both of them enjoyed glittering underage careers, one captaining his state and the other even being chosen for two national teams.

And that now, having risen from relative obscurity in the intervening years, they have both become key figures in the Tigers' successful quest to head off Western Australia and appear in a Pura Cup Final this week in Queensland.

But that would probably be over-emphasising the point that the careers of Michael Dighton and Shane Jurgensen are enjoying a remarkable symmetry at the moment.

"We'd sort of been in the same situation for a while in the lead-up to this year in that we hadn't been able to string any length of first-class games together," says Dighton.

"And this season again, things have been very similar for us. When we started off, we weren't in the team. But we've both worked hard and worked our way in there.

"Shane's done really well ever since coming in. It's been a great credit to him: he's been very committed and he's bowling the best I've ever seen him bowl - having played against him at underage level and in Perth grade cricket as well.

"He's in very good control of his game at the moment, he's enjoying himself, and he's doing really well. He's got the hard job: he's the one who's got to consistently run in and bowl in the right areas all day and he's done his job magnificently."

Though Jurgensen hit the national headlines last week when a hat-trick against New South Wales made him only the second Tasmanian bowler in history to perform the feat, both have also largely been unsung heroes this summer.

Dighton's blend of elegant strokeplay and patient defence has yielded a run of form that, by no coincidence, has snowballed with the team's surge as a whole over recent months. And, where he has added steel to an uncharacteristically-labouring Tasmanian top order, Jurgensen has helped offer backbone to a rejuvenated pace attack.

For a team that had been struggling to garner momentum prior to Christmas, their twin contributions have been manna from heaven.

"I guess I wouldn't have dreamed of it turning out the way it has done. It's all fallen into place: I'm very comfortable here and I've settled in very well," adds Dighton of the background to scores of 65, 124, 4, 76 and 84 in Tasmania's four most important matches of the summer.

"I had a bit of a point to prove to everyone in WA - that I thought I could play at this level - and it's all worked out really well."

Though Jurgensen hasn't been completely left in the shade when it comes to showcasing batting talents either. Part of the best lower order in the competition this season, he's established himself as interstate cricket's most dependable number eleven with a tally of 111 runs at the average of 22.20.

He also featured in a phase of play widely identified as the turning point of Tasmania's entire season: a rollicking 91-minute, 114-run last wicket partnership with David Saker that inspired their team to an innings win in a low-scoring match with Queensland in January.

"A lot of belief came out of that hour and a half: a belief that, no matter what the situation, we can pull ourselves out of it," remarks Jurgensen.

"Basically, we've got 12 blokes who just want to have a real crack at playing first-class cricket. And 12 guys just having a 'red hot dip' for each other. We're all about the same age; we're all crazy; and we have a lot of fun together. We respect the opportunity that we've been given.

"I still think we're maybe not getting quite the respect we deserve from some sections of the public and the media. Which is probably good in a way - because it means there hasn't been too much pressure on us.

"The whole experience of coming to Tasmania has been one to savour," he comments of a season that has yielded immeasurable satisfaction. As well as the small matter of 25 first-class wickets - the majority of them at crucial times - at an average of 21.52.

"I was a bit of an early bloomer when I was playing youth cricket but the period between the under-19s and finally establishing myself in first-class cricket has been six years in the making.

"And now, to add to it, we're in a position where we can actually win something really significant."

Whatever happens in the remainder of this pair's careers - and there are suddenly plenty of reasons to assume they will be long and distinguished - a special place in their histories has already been reserved for 2001-02. If the unthinkable happens and they are members of the first team that brings a national first-class title back to their new shores, they will also likely be afforded their own special place in many Tasmanians' hearts.

"When you first start playing cricket, you have a lot of personal goals but, all of a sudden, the most important thing is the team. Whether you're in it or out of it, the team's more important than anything," says Jurgensen.

"I obviously still want to do really well at an individual level but, for me, it's moved on from that to realising that there's now a fantastic opportunity for 12 guys to get together and do something that will mean a lot to Tasmania."

"You do dream about playing in a Pura Cup Final. I wasn't really all that close to a spot when WA played in their last few finals, and it's remained a dream of mine ever since I've been a young cricketer," observes Dighton.

"I absolutely love Tasmania already; it's a little bit quieter than Perth and that suits me a little bit more. The people have been fantastic and, as a place, it's amazing."

"All the guys in the Tasmanian squad have been fantastic to me; they're a really good set of people and I haven't had a problem with anyone. That's made it easy.

"And, most importantly, there's a real good buzz about the group. We all really love each other's company; we have fun and enjoy ourselves and it's all turned around for us."

Tasmania's spirit, and the close-knit connection between its players, has been contagious this season. Impossible not to discern, even from the sidelines. And, between its new team within a team, there lies an even more inextricable bond than most.