Shield clashes have fair bit to offer
Never mind the white-ball stuff; it’s still the Plunket Shield that determines New Zealand domestic cricket’s champion team.
You might be able to bluff your way through the limited overs’ competitions or be carried on the back of one or two individuals. But it takes a complete side to emerge from 40 days of first-class cricket victorious.
The first of this summer’s 10 Plunket Shield rounds begins today, with each clash having a fair bit to offer.
Starting with a few old stagers in Wellington.
WELLINGTON v AUCKLAND at the Basin Reserve, Wellington
Wellington have enjoyed some 50-over and Twenty20 success in recent times, but a four-day title continues to elude this group.
For men such as Michael Papps, Luke Woodcock and Jeetan Patel, there won’t be too many more chances. Papps is entering his 20th summer of first-class cricket, with Warwickshire professional Patel not far behind. Woodcock is already Wellington’s all-time Plunket Shield appearance leader (with 126), but even he wasn’t around when Wellington last won this competition.
Only Patel now survives from that 2000/01 side.
Up against them is an Auckland team minus the prolific Colin Munro and former captain Rob Nicol. In their absence, men such as Jeet Raval and new skipper Michael Guptill-bunce are going to have to be among the runs.
Wellington: (from) Michael Papps, Luke Woodcock, Stephen Murdoch, Michael Bracewell (c), Fraser Colson, Matt Taylor, Tom Blundell, Jeetan Patel, Logan van Beek, Iain Mcpeake, Hamish Bennett, Ollie Newton
Auckland: (from) Jeet Raval, Michael Guptill-bunce, Robbie O’donnell, Craig Cachopa, Mark Chapman, Michael Barry, Ben Horne, Donovan Grobbelaar, Tarun Nethula, Matt Mcewan, Lockie Ferguson, Raja Sandhu
NORTHERN DISTRICTS v CENTRAL DISTRICTS at Bay Oval, Tauranga
Doug Bracewell’s return to the fray will be interesting.
Previously out with a knee injury, the former New Zealand quick bowler will be eager to prove he’s not a spent force. Medium pacer Seth Rance is another CD will be depending on for wickets and control, allowing left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel to make an impact later on.
This week’s opponents, Northern Districts, look a fair side. Daniel Flynn and Dean Brownlie provide experience and runs, there’s Scott Kuggeleijn’s explosive allround skills and the guile of veteran newball bowler Brent Arnel.
Northern Districts: (from) Daniel Flynn (c), Dean Brownlie, Bharat Popli, Anton Devcich, Tim Seifert, BJ Watling, Scott Kuggeleijn, Joe Walker, Zak Gibson, Brett Randell, James Baker, Brent Arnell
Central Districts: (from) Ben Smith, Greg Hay, Mitch Renwick, Will Young (c), Brad Schmulian, Dane Cleaver, Doug Bracewell, Bevan Small, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Seth Rance, Navin Patel
CANTERBURY v OTAGO at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
These are unusual times for Canterbury. Plunket Shield winners in three of the last four seasons, they don’t look particularly well equipped to do that again this season. At least for the time being.
Beyond the retired Peter Fulton, Canterbury will be without captain Andrew Ellis and others such as Ken Mcclure, Kyle Jamieson and Ed Nuttall for the start of this campaign.
Otago, meanwhile, are handy. If this week’s 12 aren’t adversely effected by international call ups or injury, then they could give this competition a decent shake. There are a bunch of guys who know how to churn out performances, which is valuable in this format.
Canterbury: (from) Cole Mcconchie (c), Chad Bowes, Jack Boyle, Michael Davidson, Leo Carter, Michael Pollard, Cameron Fletcher, Tim Johnston, Will Williams, Blake Coburn, Fraser Sheat, Brett Hampton/ Andrew Hazeldine
Otago: (from) Rob Nicol (c), Hamish Rutherford, Brad Wilson, Neil Broom, Anaru Kitchen, James Neesham, Derek de Boorder, Mark Craig, Neil Wagner, Jacob Duffy, Michael Rae, Nathan Smith