Hunter impresses selectors
JACK HUNTER has forced his way into the Otago twenty20 squad with a stunning bowling display in Queenstown earlier this week.
Hunter was Otago’s leading wickettaker in the oneday competition last season but is yet to play for Otago this summer.
Nathan Smith has been entrusted with the new ball instead. But Hunter’s six for 17 in a recent intrasquad twenty20 match meant he demanded selection.
He will still have some stiff competition for a starting spot in the season opener against Canterbury at the University Oval tomorrow.
But coach Rob Walter has been impressed with the improvements Hunter has made.
‘‘Jack was the pick of the bowlers in Queenstown and he has steadily been coming along,’’ Walter said.
‘‘We know what he has to offer but he has a bit of zip at the moment and has always been able to shape the ball.’’
Travis Muller has been named in the team for the first time and is likely to make his Otago debut if a visa issue can be sorted out.
The South Africanborn medium pacer played a firstclass game for Wellington last season but has moved south to Dunedin.
He will play as an import. But he has signed a declaration of intent to play for New Zealand and will be able to play as a qualifier in the domestic competitions next season.
Former Australian under19 captain Tom Beaton gets another opportunity. He played two twenty20 games for Otago as an import two years ago.
But he has moved to Dunedin this year and is in a similar position to Muller.
He has signed a declaration
and also intends to make his career here in the South.
He has been playing for Green Island and has been striking the ball well.
He scored 39 in an intrasquad twenty20 game earlier this week and will bring power to the middle order.
Michael Rippon returns from an ankle complaint, and allrounder Christi Viljoen has also been named in the team.
That takes Otago’s tally of imports or qualifying players to four and only three can play, so either Muller, Beaton or Viljoen will drop out of the 12, with Rippon a definite starter.
If Muller’s visa issue cannot be sorted he will have to wait a little longer to pull on the Volts’ strip.
Josh Finnie shapes as a major threat at the death for the Volts.
He smashed 94 not out from 36 balls in a brutal display of batting in a warmup game.
Not many players around the world are capable of that kind of ballstriking. His challenge is to repeat that form in the competition.
He played some telling cameos in the oneday competition but 94 off 36 is in another league.