Southern Districts gun recruit Lochie Hardy says playing in Perth prepared him for short bowling during impressive debut v Tracy Village in Darwin Premier Grade

HONING his craft on the bouncy Perth wickets allowed Lochie Hardy to score an impressive 80 off 113 balls for Southern Districts in their tight 23-run win over Tracy Village at Gerry Wood Oval at Fred’s Pass yesterday.

Darwin Eagles paceman Aaron Summers bends his back on his way to finishing with 0-17 off six overs against Palmerston. Picture: Che Chorley

HONING his craft on the bouncy Perth wickets allowed Lochie Hardy to score an impressive 80 off 113 balls for Southern Districts in their tight 23-run win over Tracy Village at Gerry Wood Oval at Fred’s Pass yesterday.

Hardy is a big recruit for the Crocodiles, coming to Darwin from Scarborough, where he plays first grade at the same club as Australian legend Justin Langer, and current Aussie stars Marcus Harris and Marcus Stoinis.

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“I enjoyed the pull shot. I played a few early which got me going and made me feel comfortable, Hardy told the Sunday Territorian.

“Playing on the faster, bouncier Perth wickets you have to be good off the back foot, and it was a good pitch to bat on.

“I also got a few nice drives away early which helped me relax.”

Hardy, 20, said playing in Darwin during the dry season was vital in his quest to achieve his ultimate goal of playing for Australia.

“That’s the goal – to wear the baggy green,” he said.

“The next step is to push for a WA contract, or to try and play in the Big Bash League.

“Playing back-to-back seasons by coming to Darwin is great, and enjoying the weather and different conditions and cultures will be a great experience for me.

“We’ve got a nice, balanced side with the bat and ball at Districts this year with our imports strengthening the team.”

Palmerston’s Liam Sparke drives through cover on his way to 13 against Darwin in Round 2 Premier Grade action at Kahlin Oval. Picture: Che Chorley

Fellow import Jackson Isaaka impressed for the second week in a row with 3-22, after scoring an unbeaten 131 off 161 balls in a three-run loss to Darwin during Round 1 action last week.

Meanwhile, PINT (Dylan Harrison-Smith 2-38) beat the Tigers in a thriller by four runs at Nightcliff Oval.

And Darwin (Anthony Adlam 67 off 74 and Luke Zanchetta 1-19 off seven overs with the new ball) defeated Palmerston by three wickets chasing just 156 for victory at Kahlin Oval. Oscar Oborn-Corby (2-21 off 10 overs) kept Power in the game.