Lindisfarne poised for premiership after Cricket Tasmania calls early end to CTPL season

Lindisfarne Lightning look set to be crowned premiers of the CTPL season without bowling a single ball in the grand final.

Jarrod Freeman of Lindisfarne bowling. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

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.

As such, Lindisfarne becomes the only logical candidate to claim the 2019-20 men’s CTPL title.

Cricket Tasmania will announce all grade premiers once it consults with “the Premier League Committee and club presidents to decide final standings on this season’s table”.

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 CEO Dominic Baker at Blundstone Arena. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

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 number one 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.”