CLUBS FIRING BIG GUNS

LINDISFARNE coach Matt Wilkie says a host of stars returning from Tasmanian duty will add welcome and timely firepower to his side heading into Saturday’s CTPL T20 bonanza.

Every team will play two matches, with three ovals hosting three teams each and the clubs competing over the course of the day.

Lindisfarne, the reigning T20 premiers, are sitting second on the CTPL table and take on South Hobart-Sandy Bay (ninth) and Clarence (fourth) at Queenborough Oval.

Ben McDermott, Nathan Ellis, Mac Wright, and Charlie Wakim will all return for Lindisfarne for the first T20s of the CTPL season.

“[They add] massively the firepower,” Wilkie said.

“But at the same time, the guys unfortunately that have gone out of the team have done a great job as well in their absence.

“[It’s] disappointing for them, but we don’t know how long we’ll have the Tassie guys, so having those other guys ready to come back in is important.”

A number of other big names, including Australian Test captain Tim Paine and James Faulkner (University of Tasmania) and Riley Meredith (Clarence), will compete in the CTPL less than a fortnight out from the start of BBL.

Wilkie said the new T20 CTPL format would showcase their talents.

“It’s pretty exciting, especially the triple headers at grounds, I think it’s a great idea,” he said.

He said it would be important to play Queenborough Oval well against South Hobart-Sandy Bay and Clarence.

“It sounds like it’s going to be a pretty short boundary, so I think limiting the score is an obvious answer, but I think it will come down to batting firepower and who gets away,” he said.

Lindisfarne has some experience with the back-toback T20 format, having played in games on the same day in the national T20 championships in Adelaide earlier this year and Wilkie said his team had learned from that competition.

“I think it’s just about moving on quickly from the first game, whatever the result, and focusing on the next game really quickly,” he said.

“There’s not much time to review and change too much, you’ve just got to get on with it and back yourself.”

Elsewhere, ladder leaders New Town will take on Glenorchy (fifth) and New Town (eighth) at New Town Oval.

University (third), Kingborough (sixth) and Greater Northern (seventh) all face off at Kingston Twin Ovals.