CTPL WEEK 24 PREVIEW
Elliot Stevenson
Clarence is entering the CTPL finals series as the dominant team in the competition, having completed an undefeated red-ball regular season last weekend against Lindisfarne.
The Roos won seven of eight two-day games, a draw to New Town in February the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record.
The real test comes this weekend however, with a semi-final date set with Lindisfarne at Kangaroo Bay Oval.
Coach Shane Holland says his side cannot rely on form in the finals, but admits his side are in a strong position.
“It's good to have winning form, particularly in the format that we're hoping to play over the next couple of weeks,” he said.
“We take a bit of confidence into that and hopefully the winning continues.
“We're obviously aware that we need to be ready to perform in a semi-final and don't take too much out of the last game.
“We're just looking forward to another tough contest with Lindisfarne, and we know that their team will be strengthened somewhat as well.”
Last week’s matchup saw Mac Wright bring up another milestone, hitting 132 not out off 195 balls for his third century of the CTPL season.
The Clarence star is averaging a whopping 107.57 from his 753 runs and will be a major threat heading into the finals series.
“It's obviously confidence building for our side to have Mac at number four,” Holland said.
“He's obviously had a great season and he's just very impressive as a cricketer on and off the field.
“We're rapt to have him in our side and hopefully we can get one or two more big performances out of him.”
It was a spin-heavy attack from Clarence last weekend, with former coach Harry Allanby taking 6/53 off 26.3 overs to secure the victory for the hosts.
Holland says spin is extremely important for the Roos’ setup, but insists balance is key for his bowlers.
“We're obviously fortunate to have some quality spinners in our side and it's a really good problem to have to try and get those guys enough overs every week,” he said.
“We do have a reliance on spin, but we do also think we've got a really good balance with some quality seamers to go with the spinners.
“But Harry's been fantastic.
“He's been in really good form with the bat and it's great to see him take some wickets last weekend and hopefully that form can continue.”
The Roos will be bolstered by the return of two competition heavyweights in Lawrence Neil-Smith and Kieran Elliott from Tasmania Tigers duty.
The pair will add to the fast-bowling stocks, while Neil-Smith threatens with the bat, having made 173 off 165 balls against University in November of last year.
“It’s a welcome addition for us, but much the same as what we've had throughout the season, particularly a couple of games ago,” Holland said.
“We're excited and confident with the team that we've got and hopefully we can put it all together on the weekend.”
Charlie Wakim will return for Lindisfarne, the star batter sitting sixth in the competition runs tally with 875 runs at an average of 62.5.
In the other semi-final, New Town and Kingborough will do battle at the bike track, with the Knights aiming to make a third grand final this season.
Having lost both white-ball deciders to Greater Northern and University respectively, Tom Martyn’s side will be aiming to go one better this time around but need to get past the in-form Bucks first.
New Town dismantled Glenorchy by 176 runs last weekend, while Kingborough secured its qualification with a four-wicket victory over the Raiders at the Twin Ovals.
Bucks opening batsman Joe Randall enters the weekend in good form, having made his first century this season a week ago.
History is on Kingborough’s side however, with the Knights winning all four previous matchups between the two sides this season, including a T20 semi-final that proved ultimately fruitless.
The only red-ball fixture between the two this season took place in January, with Jake Weatherald (131 off 129 balls) the star.
The Australian Test opener won’t feature for the Knights this weekend, with much of the batting responsibility lying with young gun Zac Curtain and all-rounder Nivethan Radhakrishnan.