Lightning fired up to face nation’s best

MATT Wilkie hopes the Lightning strikes hard over Adelaide today and tomorrow as CTPL club Lindisfarne takes on Australia’s best at the Fox Cricket National Premier T20 Championships.

Lindisfarne earned its place at the T20 nationals by winning the CTPL 20-over title this season, and will be up against 10 teams from every state and territory, including two from Victoria and NSW. Lightning travelled to Adelaide yesterday in readiness for the competition but left behind first-class players Nathan Ellis, Mac Wright, Ben McDermott and Charlie Wakim.

“The guys in line for a Shield match starting on Friday didn’t come with us,” Wilkie said.

“It is a bit of a blow but it’s a massive opportunity for the good young guys we’ve brought in.”

Lindisfarne’s nominated squad consists of captain Wilkie, Anthony Marr, Kieran Gilbert, Daniel Chapman, Jackson Grubb, James Bourke, Sam Underhill, Jarrod Freeman, Declan Waddington, Oliver Wray, Tom McGann, Alex Bevilaqua, Bryce Alomes, and Keegan Oates.

The Tasmanians will play two games today and one tomorrow, and the top four teams play off in the semi-finals and the two winners play the grand final for the national crown.

“Our main goal is to be competitive, especially with a really young group, and do Tassie proud in that respect,” Wilkie said.

“It will show us where we are at.

“We pretty much have to win every game to make the semis.

“We will be challenging or guys to play the way we played in our competition and see where that leads us.”