Playing it smart key in huge run chase

LINDISFARNE skipper Luke Doran is quietly confident his troops can give today’s mammoth CTPL chase at Queenborough a shake if they follow the blueprint from last weekend.

The Lightning is staring at the big task of hauling in South Hobart-Sandy’s 6-392 if, as expected, the Sharks declare on their overnight total.

A club record second wicket partnership of 240 between Alex Doolan (131) and Sean Willis (125) set the platform for the hosts, and Doran said his players had to put the pain of chasing leather for 96 overs to use if they were to pull off the feat.

But armed with state squad members Ben McDermott, Charlie Wakim and Mac Wright, the Lightning has enough quality to push the game deep if it does the basics right.

“It was a long day, our bowlers did well to toil for all 96 overs. It was very challenging and the wicket played out really well, it was a batting paradise,” Doran said.

“We have team goals for the two-day format, it’s about the top four trying to bat through and build big partnerships and everyone bat around that.

“The message is pretty clear to bat in 10-over blocks and see how we go.

“We were pretty confident last week when we walked off, even though there was almost 400 on the board, we walked off knowing we bowled OK and if we do what they did, there is no reason we couldn’t chase it down.

“As long as we bat as smart as they do and don’t give away any chances, we are confident in our batting lineup, it is just about execution.”

Glenorchy also faces a huge chase at the Twin Ovals after Kingborough skipper Nathan Freitag smashed the record books last Saturday.

Freitag batted through the day for an unbeaten 219 — the club’s first double-century — as the Knights posted a mammoth 3-388.

The Pies put up 357 themselves the previous round and will again need someone from the top six to reach three figures.

After being skittled for 46 in its first innings, New Town resumes its second at 0-30 against North Hobart, needing a further 173 runs to make the Demons bat again.

University requires 43 more runs with five wickets in hand to pass Clarence’s total of 164 at Kangaroo Bay.