New South Wales skipper Dominic Thornely believes a first-up loss to Western Australia is not a mortal blow to the Blues' Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield chances this season.
The New South Welshmen were missing a number of players on international duty as they travelled to Perth for their season-opening clash and Thornely believes that with a bit of luck the 'Baby Blues' could have taken the points home from the WACA.
But Thornely said the Warriors did enough to hold them at arms length throughout the four-day match as Western Australia eventually cruised to an eight-wicket win.
"They bowled particularly well in the first innings and we were playing catch up footy for the rest of the match," said Thornely referring to the 177 the Blues posted after being sent into bat by Warriors skipper Marcus North.
"(But it wasn't) won or lost on the first day. (It was a) very similar result to last year where we crawled our way back into the game and then got our noses in front."
"But every time we tried to get our noses in front in this game, we just lost a wicket or they had a partnership," he said.
After a poor- first-up batting performance, the Blues lifted on days two and three, bowling the Warriors out for 265 and then making 310 to set the hosts a target of 223 for an outright win.
But Thornely said as soon as WA openers Liam Davis and Shaun Marsh saw off the new ball in the last hour before stumps on the third day, he knew his bowlers would struggle to contain a powerful Warriors batting line-up.
"Having batted on it late on day three, I knew that wicket was going to be at its best today and sure enough it was," Thornely said.
"The wind switched around today as well and created no swing for us (so) we had out backs against it today, but I commended the guys on the effort, particularly our three fast bowlers who bowled particularly well."
"Its very, very early in the season, (though), the guys have got a very good spirit and the important thing is that everyone learns something from this experience."
"West Australia are playing exceptionally well and they're going to need to play well early in the season."
"They've got, I think their first four games at home (and) they're going to have to start the season well over here and then play well away from home. It's a tough ask."