The biggest fight from the Tigers came from a pair of cubs.

A cockahoop NSW has turned the SCG into a burial ground for visiting cricket teams in recent weeks - as New Zealand, WA and SA can testify.

So things didn't look bright for injury-ravaged Tasmania when it came here sharing last place in the Pura Cup table.

The Tigers were without Dan Marsh, Jamie Cox and Michael Di Venuto, who have all succumbed to injury in the past month.

Between them they have more than 37,000 first-class runs and their absence leaves a huge hole in the Tasmanian batting line-up.

Enter 22-year-old duo George Bailey, on debut, and David Dawson, who was playing his fifth first-class match.

On a dour day they were the only players standing between Tasmania and another batting disaster at the SCG, with the Tigers finishing day one at 7-266.

Bailey, in particular caught the eye, using an array of attacking strokes to make 70.

He led a Tigers lower order fightback after they'd slumped to 5-122.

Former Test legspinner Stuart MacGill was impressed with his first sight of Bailey, who was severe on MacGill before playing one shot too many off the leggie and holing out at long-on.

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