TERRANORA Lakes is on the brink of playing finals cricket, sitting in contention for the semi-finals in its first Far North Coast LJ Hooker League season in 15 years.<\/p>\n
The resurgent club is currently fifth in the 10-team competition and has recorded wins over some of the top teams this season.<\/p>\n
Terranora Lakes jumped at the chance to return to the premier competition this year, with plans to build around the current squad over the next few years.<\/p>\n
Club president Leo Araujo said the season had exceeded expectations after a strong pre-season rebuild.<\/p>\n
“It has been a bit of a fairytale really when you look back on where we’ve come from,” Araujo said.<\/p>\n
“The whole season has been about making the most of our opportunities and proving other people wrong.<\/p>\n
“We had a really good sign-up in the pre-season and the Casuarina Crocodiles merged in with us, so it’s all gone to plan so far.”<\/p>\n
Terranora Lakes has been buoyed by consistent performances across the squad, with top-order batsmen Sandeep Chauhan and Matt Sutton leading the charge with the bat.<\/p>\n
Lachlan Mison is among the competition’s leading wicket-takers, while fast bowler Jack McDonald has also played a key role with the ball.<\/p>\n
“Sandeep Chauhan is a player who can make something happen,” Araujo said.<\/p>\n
“Nothing worries him when he’s at the crease and he bats freely. You need guys like that in your team; they can make a difference in the big games.”<\/p>\n
The competition’s shift to a 40-over one-day format this season has added a layer of unpredictability heading into the finals next month.<\/p>\n
Cudgen claimed the Twenty20 title last month, while Goonellabah Workers Sports and the Colts have shared top spot on the ladder throughout much of the campaign.<\/p>\n
“There is no clear favourite you would bet your house on,” Araujo said.<\/p>\n
“A few good teams will miss out and any of the four who make it are capable of winning on the day.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TERRANORA Lakes is on the brink of playing finals cricket, sitting in contention for the semi-finals in its first Far North Coast LJ Hooker League season in 15 years. The resurgent club is currently fifth in the 10-team competition and has recorded wins over some of the top teams this season. Terranora Lakes jumped at […]<\/p>\n