Pakistan spinners to test Demons

NORTH Hobart will encounter a test somewhat unique to club cricket this weekend in the form of a pair of Pakistani spinners as the club strives to open its CTPL account.

North Hobart and New Town are the only clubs yet to register a victory in a rain-marred start to the season, and the Demons head to KGV to tackle a Glenorchy side bolstered by the inclusion of Farzan Raja and Ahsan Mirza.

The Lahore Qalandars duo have been training with the Ti- gers and Hurricanes squads to help batsmen prepare for the subcontinental spinners they will face in the BBL, and will be eager to showcase their talents outside of net sessions.

Demons spinner Rob MacMillan, who takes the coaching reins while Dan Marsh is away with the Hurricanes WBBL squad, said Raja and Mirza present a different challenge to what most of his teammates have faced, but his team is banking on some inside intel.

“Caleb Jewell and Jock White have faced a bit of them so hopefully they can spend a fair bit of time in the middle if we bat,” MacMillan said.

“They’ve told us they bowl quite fast, so we will be looking to play them as straight as possible and if the ball spins then so be it.”

MacMillan considered it had been a far from ideal start to the season for the back-to-back twoday runners-up, but he is confident the wheel can turn.

“Hopefully we can get a couple of wins before Christmas and then come home strong.”

North Hobart named state trio Alex Pyecroft, Jordan Silk and Jake Doran, but MacMillan is preparing to start the two-day contest with them given they have spent the past four days in action at Sheffield Shield level.

Match of the round will unfold at Queenborough where South Hobart-Sandy Bay hosts Lindisfarne in a second-versus-third clash. The Lightning (24 points) have the opportunity to leapfrog ladder leader Clarence — who have the bye — with a first-innings victory. In other matches New Town hosts Kingborough, while University welcomes the Greater Northern Raiders.