Greater Northern Raiders are looking for a favourable pitch in Saturday’s inaugural home game that could swing the balance back their way.
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The subtle enquiry is not as dodgy as it sounds from the newest Cricket Tasmania Premier League side.
More about returning to familiar wickets that could put Hobart rival New Town on the back foot.
Hampered preparations forced preseason indoors at the NTCA centre, but it may well have helped the Raiders to put in a credible debut against Kingborough.
The bouncy and pacy strip at Kingston’s Twin Ovals – regarded as one of the best in Hobart – tested their batsmen and bowlers early on.
So coach Andrew Gower is optimistic the notoriously lower-playing Launceston wickets can begin to give his side a vital edge.
“Indoors you get that nice consistent bounce that you’re going to play on when in Hobart,” Gower said.
“Now were in Launceston, it’s to our advantage.
“We all know how the wickets are going to play.
“New Town is coming up with a bit of an unknown of the facility. That plays into our hands as an advantage similar to what it played to Kingborough’s hands.
“We’re quite excited to be playing at our home ground and in front of hopefully a big crowd.”
The NTCA No2 Ground will provide the first of the six home venues shared throughout Cricket North’s Launceston venues, UTAS Stadium and also at Burnie’s West Park this season.
The Raiders got a taste of a wicket that was hard to score quickly off in their Twenty20 warm-up games against Launceston and Mowbray.
But the Raiders have reacquainted themselves during the week with sessions in the middle and Gower is satisfied the batsmen have adjusted accordingly for the 50-over clash with the Bucks.
“Our style of play is obviously front foot play because of the lower wickets that we play on in the North of the state,” Gower said.
“That’s something that is an advantage for us because last week the wicket was more a back foot wicket being a bit quicker and having a lot more bounce too.
“Just watching last week, that was probably the best ground and best wicket we’re going to play on. I think a lot of Hobart players will try and play off the back foot and that will be our advantage at home.”
The Raiders have made just the one change from the side that lost by five wickets on debut to Kingborough.
Top-order Devonport batsman Anish Paraam will replace Alex Kerrison, who returns to play for Westbury.
“He strengthens our batting and we can get a few overs out of him,” Gower said of the left-arm finger spinner.
“We just believe that extra batting depth will be helpful for us early in the season.”
Game starts at 10:30am.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
