Lindisfarne opens its national T20 championships with tight victory

An unbeaten half century to opener Kieran Gilbert and some tight early bowling has seen Lindisfarne hold off Northern Territory side Desert Blaze in Adelaide.

Kieran Gilbert was the star for Lindisfarne with the bat in their opening match of the national T20 championships in Adelaide.

LINDISFARNE has won its opening match of the National Premier Twenty20 Championships after holding off a gallant Desert Blaze.

The Lightning held on for a narrow six run victory over their Northern Territory counterparts to set the platform for a big clash against Victorian powerhouse Carlton later this afternoon.

Kieran Gilbert carried his bat for an unbeaten 59 from 50 balls for Lindisfarne, who posted 5-149 batting first.

Tigers rookie and Hurricanes spinner Jarrod Freeman added 21, while Jackson Grubb provided a spark at the end of the innings after clubbing three sixes in his unconquered knock of 25 from 17 balls.

Playing coach Matt Wilkie struck early with the ball in bowling Ben Abbott before a run out left the Blaze two-down during their powerplay,

However, Jacob Dick (40 from 37) and Jack James (57 not out from 44 balls) kept the scoreboard ticking over until the former was bowled by Freeman.

The Blaze were left needing 49 runs from their final four overs and while James and Kierran Voelkl (28 not out from 22) found the rope on several occasions, they came up just short.

Lindisfarne’s hopes of topping its pool and reaching tomorrow’s final could hinge on this afternoon’s showdown against reigning champions Carlton, who have two former Tasmanian players in Evan Gulbis and Cameron Stevenson in their squad.

Despite the firepower Carlton was defeated by Hawkesbury in its opening pool match.