DEMONS ON WINNING STREAK
NORTH Hobart will enter the final round of one-day cricket on Saturday hoping to finish the regular season undefeated as 50-over cricket returns following a two-month hiatus.
The Demons, who have sat atop the one-day ladder since the format was last played on November 12, host Kingborough at the TCA with both sides naming as close to full strength sides as possible.
Knights batter Anthony Adlam will be hoping to recapture the form that saw him start the season with knocks of 43 and 107 while Demons young gun Jack Callinan will be one to watch for the home side.
While a host of Hobart Hurricanes players remain unavailable, Hurricanes contracted bowler Iain Carlisle has been named for the Demons while former Canes spinner and current Cricket Tasmania coach Clive Rose will play for the Knights.
In other round 23 games, Clarence travel across the river to face Glenorchy at KGV with both sides desperate for a win to sneak into the top four. The Roos sit in fifth position and while the Magpies enter the clash in eighth, both sides sit on just one win apiece and are well within striking distance of New Town (2-2) in fourth position.
Skipper Michael Jones and pacebowler Sam Rainbird have been named to play for the visitors while Glenorchy have named an equally strong line-up for the do-or-die contest.
The Magpies made just 102 runs in their last 50-over game back in round six and will be hoping for a much improved outing at the top of the order from captain Josh Hartill and Harmanjeet Bedi.
In the final game of the round, Lindisfarne will host South HobartSandy Bay with the home side a chance to leapfrog University in second spot if they win. With the Lions drawing a bye and equal on wins with the Lightning, a win over the sixth placed Sharks could see them nab second spot and a chance to host a semi-final.
New Town and Greater Northern also have a bye on Saturday with action to continue on Sunday with two T20 semi-finals between University and Glenorchy and Lindisfarne and North Hobart.