SHIELD, CTPL AND NBL OFF
CRICKET Tasmania has called stumps on the CTPL season, meaning Lindisfarne is poised to take the premiership for finishing on top of the ladder rather than face a blockbuster showdown with talent packed South Hobart-Sandy Bay in the grand final this weekend.
Lightning finished the home-and-away series with 78 points and a quotient 1.62, compared to the Sharks second on 69 points and 1.46.
Cricket Tasmania urged all other Tasmanian competitions to also end their seasons early.
It follows Cricket Australia’s cancellation of the Sheffield Shield final, which follows a recent announcement that the last round would be cancelled. As a result, New South Wales was declared champion after leading the competition through nine rounds.
Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker said making these decisions so close to the end of the season is unfortunate but necessary.
“Having had such a competitive season across all Premier League grades, it is disappointing for everyone who we will not contest any further finals,” Baker said. “The safety of participants is our No.1 priority. We have been consulting with all levels of government, our medical team and Cricket Australia’s chief medical officer, John Orchard.
“We trust that the community associations will take the same leadership position.
“While we can recommend that all the appropriate hygiene practices are put in place, we believe that to continue matches is an unnecessary risk for our invaluable volunteers, many participants and their families.”
Meanwhile, CA pulled the pin with NSW 12 points clear at the top of the table from next-best Victoria.
CA chief executive Kevin Roberts said it was an unanimous decision to award the Blues the shield with no prospect of a final being played as scheduled from March 27.
He said the Blues’ big lead after nine rounds contributed to the agreement to award them the title rather than finish the season with a non-winner. “A decision has been made at the state and territory chairman level together with our chairman, Earl Eddings, to cancel the Sheffield Shield final,” Roberts said.