Knights put Northern Raiders to the sword in CTPL

The blazing blade of a brand-new Knight has helped Kingborough cut down the Northern Raiders in round two of the CTPL. MATCH REPORTS >>

• England cricket captain has signed with the Hobart Hurricanes for the BBL
• Hurricanes’ Chloe Rafferty says Cane Train is ready for WBBL opener

REIGNING wooden-spooner Kingborough shot to No.1 with a bullet in the CTPL on Saturday after hammering Greater Northern in their rain-interrupted one-day contest at the Twin Ovals.

The outlook gets more favourable for the Knights, whose clash with Glenorchy, originally scheduled for neutral territory at Ferguson Park near Brighton, has been switched to their home deck at the Twin Ovals for another one-dayer next weekend.

After embarrassing defending champion University in their season-opener in Launceston last weekend while the Hobart games were all washed out, Greater Northern opted to send Kingborough in to bat.

The Knights did not set the world alight with the bat, but did enough to make sure the Raiders did not get within a bull’s roar.

Kingborough’s new opener Anthony Adlam – fresh into the side from Mosman, Sydney – top-scored on debut.

Kingborough Anthony Adlam bats during the game against Northern Raiders at Kingston. Picture: Chris Kidd

It was the perfect introduction to Tasmania’s first-grade cricket competition for the tall and elegant left-hander, who scored 37 off 65 deliveries.

Kingborough’s captain was impressed with his men.

“We had an even contribution with the bat,” Martyn said.

“A couple of young guys in Josh Henley [31 not out] and Jack Ross [27 off 36 balls] on debut gave us handy contributions, and it was very pleasing to see those two take charge of the innings at times.”

Northern Raiders James Beattie bowls during the game against Kingborough at Kingston. Picture: Chris Kidd

Kingborough scored 6-162 off 47 overs thanks to a rain delay stopping them from playing a full 50.

With the ball, Knights paceman Alex Vincent (3-21) and his partner in crime Declan West (3-15) gave the Raiders a hard time.

“For us, it was important to get away to a good start,” Martyn said.

“We didn’t have the season we would have liked last year, finished on the bottom.

“We’ve had some changes on and off the field, and it is really pleasing that the work we have put in over the off-season is paying off.

“We are heading in the right direction.

“Hopefully we can bring the same next week and get two wins on the trot, which would be nice.”

In the only other game to get away this weekend, Glenorchy pipped North Hobart under the Duckworth-Lewis system at Ferguson Park.

Tassie cricketers locked out of local parks

ANOTHER false start awaits teams in round two of the CTPL season with Covid-19 protocols putting the kybosh on Lindisfarne’s clash with South Hobart-Sandy Bay and Clarence’s clash with reigning premiers University.

Lindisfarne is unable to access Anzac Park for its match-up with Sharks on Saturday, due to Covid-safe protocols related to WBBL teams from Melbourne and Sydney training there while in quarantine ahead of their Big Bash hub getting under way on Thursday.

Cricket Tasmania Premier League. Men, Back (L-R) Ryan Delaney (Brighton), James Faulkner (University), James Beattie (Greater Northern Raiders), Keegan Oats (Lindisfarne), Justin Galeotti (Clarence), Thomas Martin (Kingborough), Front (L-R) Ben Manenti (New Town), Sean Willis (South Hobart/ Sandy Bay), Tushaar Carg (Glenorchy) and Jack White (North Hobart) at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

Clarence and Uni were scheduled to play at Anzac Park’s number one ground on Sunday, but again it will be unavailable leaving the Roos without a game for the second week in a row.

It is a frustrating start to Clarence’s campaign for coach Harry Allanby.

“Our ground at Kangaroo Bay is not ready because they are doing irrigation work there and they had trouble getting the material so it got behind schedule,” Allanby said.

“They are having trouble getting enough grounds at the moment.”

CTPL T20 North Hobart v Clarence at Domain, Hobart. Harry Allanby. PICTURE: MATT THOMPSON

Round one games in Hobart where washed out due to the traditional spring downpours that more often than not hinder the opening round.

Only the game between Northern Raiders and University in Launceston got away, and the Raiders started the season in spectacular form with a win over the defending champion.

North Hobart’s round two match against Glenorchy will go ahead at Ferguson Park near Brighton on Saturday, and Kingborough will take on ladder-leader Greater Northern at the Twin Ovals.