Local lads provide real highlight for fans
Cricket has finished for those who play for fun. The next time the whites are viewed they will need a wash. Taranaki had no luck in the Chapple Cup and Furlong Trophy competitions and will already be planning changes, while the Central Stags have no silverware following a defeat in the Super Smash final, a third place finish in the Ford Trophy while they are fifth in the Plunket Shield.
Next week only those receiving a good wallop of cash will be left in action.
The wealthy elite will be smashing and bashing in the IPL for seven weeks beginning on April 3 while the Black Caps will be looking toward the Champions Trophy in England and Wales kicking off on June 2.
The seasons highlight for local followers must be the performances of Tom Bruce and Central Stags captain Will Young.
Bruce has stroked his way into the Black Caps T20 side where both his batting and fielding has measured up well. Young is coming off a season where he is the fifth highest run gatherer in the Ford Trophy and is sitting third in runs scored in the Plunket Shield.
If any credibility at all is given to the domestic first class game both these players will be mentioned in discussions for the Champions Trophy squad.
With Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor being the batting certainties, the likes of Bruce and Young, along with Colin Munro, Corey Anderson and Henry Nicholls will be fighting for spots held by Neil Broom, James Neesham and Dean Brownlie.
It may be a long shot but a weight of runs by these two will surely lead on to higher level selections in the future.
The Black Caps play warm ups against Ireland and Bangladesh prior to fronting up in a group including Australia, England and Bangladesh. The first aim is to be in the top two of their group who will then join the top two from the other group in a straight shootout for the title. Nothing is impossible in the shorter forms of the game. In 2000 the New Zealand side won the final against an Indian team which contained all time greats such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble.
Chris Cairns carried the day with 102 not out but by comparison, the 2017 vintage will go in to the tournament with a far stronger bowling attack and an equally talented batting lineup.
Next week the real cricket ‘nut’ can tune in to the IPL.
Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Lockie Ferguson, Stephen Fleming, Mitchell McClenaghan, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Corey Anderson and Shane Bond are all on the payroll.
This is certainly a well rested group, Williamson apart, so there should be no excuses.
Check out the team names as they are almost as entertaining as the games. I’m a Royal Challengers Bangalore man. They’re coached by Vettori, captained by Virat Kholi and include power hitters AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. I don’t think I’ll get a bat though.
The ‘fun’ cricketers can now head off to rugby and back to work. Next season will be even better you can be sure of that.