Xavier Doherty has backed a new Greater Northern side joining the state’s premier cricket competition.
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But the left-arm finger spinner has stopped short of adding his four Tests and 15 years of first-class experience to help lead in a return home.
Cricket Tasmania had confirmed in December of a Launceston-based first XI playing next season after discussions with Cricket North.
“A lot of the details are quite sketchy at the moment about that team might look,” Doherty said of the prospect.
“I think it’s a great concept. We’d be mad to shut down the north end of the state.”
Launceston and North-West cricketers have been forced to relocate to Hobart to advance their state careers since the NTCA and NWCU were initially downgraded.
“I don’t want to get too political, but I am not sure cricket allows that to happen any more,” Doherty said.
“I mean it’s great to see [Mowbray’s] Jarrod Freeman doing really well and making a name for himself, and still playing his cricket up here trying to bridge that gap.”
But Doherty said he has not been approached to leave South Hobart-Sandy Bay.
“I’m not sure how they’re planning to making it work, but I am sure there’s guys up in the Cricket North competition that are good enough to drive it,” he said.
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.
