The reigning Cricket North and TCL premier league T20 champions will face largely unknown Eastern rivals on Sunday.
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Last year’s statewide T20 grand finalist Longford will begin its campaign with an 11am home clash with NECA heavyweight Branxholm.
Bryton Mullins notched 378 runs at a Bradman-esque average of 94.50 for the Brewers last season and appears a key wicket for Josh Adams’ Country Tigers, who have again set lofty goals for the knock-out competition.
“We’ve had some good success in this comp and it’s a good chance to play against different players from around the state,” Adams said.
“They’ll have some decent players so we’ve got to come with right mindset, and we’re looking to go as far as we can in this competition again.”
Cricket North T20 titleholder Launceston will take a near full-strength side into its 4pm home fixture against St Marys.
The Tigers dashed Pyengana’s hopes of a historic ECCA title last season and boast a destructive opener in Craig Freiboth, who has scored multiple T20 tons in the past two years.
But the Lions have a ton-hitting opener of their own in the form of captain Alistair Taylor, and haven’t lost a T20 for 14 months.
“For us it doesn't change too much being on our home turf, so I guess that’s the advantage for us, they’ve got to adjust to an NTCA pitch,” Taylor said.
“But saying that it’s still a semi-final and they’ve got plenty to play for as well.”