New cricket season scheduled to start amid the rain

The recent wet weather is likely to put the kibosh on the start of the premier club season tomorrow, but just in case, sports reporter brings you the good oil on three of the six premier club teams ahead of the season opener.

were the top team last summer, reaching all three finals, and winning the one-day and twenty20 deciders, but losing the two-day final.

They have essentially the same squad back again this season so should push hard in all three formats, especially if they can fire when the Manawatu¯ reps are away.

Batsman Logan Mchardy captains the team again, but if he is away on rep duty, then spinning all-rounder Hayden Hill will take the reins.

They have strength in the top order in Manawatu¯ batsman Mason Hughes, as well as veteran Robbie James and Marcus Emery

All-rounders Jackson Gattsche and Nathan Hill return, as do veteran paceman Cam Harris, young leg-spinner Braden Rowe and left-arm seamer Phil Mecredy, who was out with injury last season, but is one of the top bowlers in the province when fit.

Explosive all-rounder Manpreet Singh will be available for the whole season and all-rounder Sonpreet Singh will play if needed.

Wicketkeeper batsman Ma’ara Ave (Marlborough) and spinner Felix Murray (Nelson) will be available until they head home for the university summer break.

Seamer Matt Ball isn’t playing because of his work commitments, but he is about the only loss.

Last season’s beaten Twenty20 finalists have most of their squad back this season, so should be strong again.

Now-retired Manawatu¯ captain and batsman Luke Murray will be the fulltime skipper.

They may not see much of Central

United Freyberg

Districts players, fast bowler Bevan Small and wicketkeeper batsman Dane Cleaver, but they will beef up the side when available.

Seamers Brad Fulton and Caleb Gaylard give them a good pace attack and with Ravi Pathirana, who may be used in the rep team this summer, returning, they have a quality spin option.

Batsman Luke Mcconaghty returns, Charles Parker is back from Canada and opener Cam Mcnaught will play once he’s back from overseas early in the season and Manawatu¯ wicketkeeper Whetu Na Nagara will be a key player for them. Rep all-rounder Thomas Kuggeleijn is back for another campaign, as is Harry Wenham and seamers Andy Grubb and Ali Akhtar.

Batsman Adrian West has moved to Auckland, bowler Steven Carter has gone to Australia and spinner Ruchira Pupulewatte has left the region.

There are a couple of players returning to the club who may play for the premier one side once they are back on deck.

It’s a new era at as longserving captain and prolific all-rounder Rob Sheary has shifted to Hutt Valley.

So without him they are still looking to appoint a new captain and former red cap Dan Batley will coach the team this season as they rebuild.

The two candidates for the captaincy are seamer Carlos Jensen, who will spearhead their bowling attack this year, and batsman Mike Myer.

Also back from last year are pace bowler Benn Dixon, batsman Brett Wyeth, experienced all-rounder Russell Swindells and batsman Aakash Shah.

Young all-rounder Corey Perrett will

Palmerston,

play once he’s back from Otago University.

They have picked up Kane Russell, an all-rounder who could be their keeper, through their indoor cricket connections, as well as a couple of players from the now-defunct United Kings XI premier two side.

Veteran bowler Rob Robinson, who has taken more than 500 wickets for the club, is unlikely to play much and batsman Wezley Masterton has shifted to Thailand for work.

A couple of club stalwarts like Chris Duke and David Hands may come out of the woodwork during the season.

Palmerston will look to give some of their premier two players a shot. They have the depth in bowling, but will need runs from their experienced batsman. They won’t be affected on rep weekends, except maybe for Jensen, who has been training with the reps.

Saturday’s draw: PNBHS v Old Boys, Marist v Freyberg, Palmerston v United.