Cricket squads hoping for a change in weather
The Taranaki premier cricket season starts on Saturday with the one-day competition. Glenn McLean looks at the eight squads.
New Plymouth Old Boys
Defending one-day champions New Plymouth Old Boys have been strengthened with the arrival of teenage Taranaki all-rounder Kaylum Boshier for the upcoming season.
Boshier, a more than talented rugby player, has opted to dedicate more time to the summer sport since leaving New Plymouth Boys’ High School and his inclusion should benefit the top to middle batting order that already looks feeling strong.
As well as Boshier, opening batsman Josh Borrell, who has also represented Taranaki, and Brodie Lilley have made the switch from Boys’ High to the New Plymouth club.
Taranaki captain Mattie Thomas, who has spent another off-season playing in the United Kingdom, will lead Old Boys while fellow representative James McDougall has been named as vice-captain.
Veteran all-rounder Jamie Watkins has retired from representative cricket but made himself available at club level.
His experience might prove valuable when club and representative fixtures clash. Just how Old Boys cope during that time might be a pointer to their chances. The only loss from last season’s squad is Chad Quinney who is in the United Kingdom.
New Plymouth Old Boys:
Mattie Thomas (c), James McDougall, Kaylum Boshier, Josh Borrell, Brodie Lilley, Matt Shaw, Ben Mitchell, Davis Mills, Jackson Braddock-Pajo, Callum Stuart, Kent Jordan, Jamie Watkins, Kyle Pillay, Tom McDougall, Troy Jury, Haydon Davies, Hayden Downes, Riley McGregor, Rhys Barron, Dean Stewart, Brad Purcell, Sam Mitchell.
Francis Douglas Memorial College
While they struggled for long periods of last season, Francis Douglas Memorial College should be more competitive given the vast majority of this year’s squad have had a season at premier level to understand its requirements.
Top-order batsman Kurt Leuthart has again made himself available to help the students and his experience and guidance in the field will be an asset.
While the side might struggle to make the play-offs they have a number of talented young men like Robson Chapman, Finbar Moriarty and Jesse Vertongen who will be big contributors.
The only real loss from the last season is Luke Dravitzki who has left school.
New faces include Joel Heyen, Luke Hughes and Campbell Lusk who will be a part of the squad for development purposes and play a more active role in the college games after Christmas.
Francis Douglas Memorial College: Robson Chapman, Jonty Hughes, Jack Krutz, Ambrose Moriarty, Finbar Moriarty, Shay Smith – Luond, Campbell Lusk, Cameron Shearman, Matt Allen, Sean Mosquera, Jesse Vertongen, Luke Hughes, Joel Heyen, Jacob Mortensen, Kurt Leuthart Woodleigh
The reigning two-day champions have also retained the vast majority of their squad who will lifted the trophy last season.
Once again Woodleigh look a really well balanced side with a number of players equally adept with the bat as they are with the ball.
There are strong rumours former international Peter Ingram will make himself available to play for Taranaki again this season and he has been named in the Woodleigh squad.
Their bowling attack will be spearheaded by Taranaki opener Taylor Williams while Andrew Mason remains in the top drawer of spinners playing in the province.
Once again the side will be captained by Moriz Hartmann who provides invaluable contributions in the middle order.
New to the squad is Nick Redfearn who has moved up from Palmerston North.
Woodleigh: Josh Quinney, Shaun Sullivan, Taylor Williams, Nick Redfearn, Cam Black, Nick Standen, Simon Bird, Peter Ingram, Josh Roguski, Jared Phillips, Andrew Mason, Scott Evans, Moriz Hartmann (c), Phil Baraclough
Stratford
One squad that looks stronger than last season is Stratford.
The arrival of former Central Districts opening batsman Dean Robinson will be of great benefit when he is available.
Other new faces in the squad include South African import Junior Mlonyeni while Jamie Fevre has left the senior grade where he performed well for Auroa to have a crack at premier cricket.
Taranaki batsman Liam Muggeridge, another player to spend the off-season overseas, will captain the squad that has a number of experienced players like opening bowler Grant Commerford.
Stratford have lost Ethan Keller and Adam Keene who have made the switch to Hawera United.
Stratford: Liam Muggeridge (c), Kayne Dunlop, Dean Robinson, Ellis Taylor, Paul Lightoller, Tyla Judson, Junior Mlonyeni, Jamie Fevre, Nic Merson, Lachlan Drummond, Leith Cowie, Grant Commerford, Tom Bruce, Nick Callingham, Glenn Johnson, Cullen May
Inglewood
Inglewood have retained the majority of last season’s squad while introducing a few new faces.
They include Sam Le Gros, a top order batsman who also bowls off-spin, Clint Frost, another off spinner, former Francis Douglas Memorial College all-rounder Luke Dravitzki and the pace bowling pair of Jarrod Ritson and Richard Clough.
Losses from last season include Jamie Farquhar and Robert Boot.
Former Taranaki all-rounder Jason Dombroski will captain the squad that features a number of players one would expect to contribute more often than not.
That includes all-rounder Hayden McIntyre and Brent Stevens while Aaron Taylor should provide runs at the top of the order.
Inglewood: Jason Dombroski (c), Aaron Zame, Hayden McIntyre, Aaron Taylor, Brent Stevens,Matt Simpson, Bailey Wisnewski, Martin Keegan, Troy Chilcott, Luke Dravitzki, Sam Le Gros, Richard Clough, Jarrod Ritson, Kyle Dravitzki, Clint Frost.
Hawera United
Following in the footsteps Dion Ebrahim is fellow Zimbabwe Ngoni Mupamba who has signed up to be player-coach for Hawera United.
Mupamba is a talented batsman who last season played for Lansdown in the Bristol/Somerset of the West of England Premier League.
He has also played a raft of representative cricket in Zimbabwe and is currently skipper of Royal Cricket Club.
The south Taranaki side have also brought out Englishman Reid Mawdsley who is predominantly a left hand batsman who bowls offspin.
Former Team Taranaki goal keeper Nick Walker has taken over the captaincy of a squad that contains many second generation club names.
Hawera United: Nick Walker (c), Ngoni Mupamba Reid Mawsley, Adam Keene, Chris Stephens, Fynn Riddick, Shaun Fowler, Robert Northcott, Luke Kerehoma, Liam Heibner, Karl Frost, Ethan Keller, Daniel Keller, Ryan Cambie, Tyran Wallace.
New Plymouth Marist United Last season’s beaten two-day finalists, New Plymouth Marist United will again be a strong contender for the title.
Captained again by all-rounder Jarred Cunningham, Marist United will look to former Taranaki batsman Ryan Fleming at the top of the order while their bowling will be led by the impressive Ryan Watson who was easily the best quick in the province last season.
A number of faces will be missing from the squad this season, including Jayden Richards (Palmerston North), Matt Carter (Australia), Sam Fastier (Auckland), Dean Robinson (Stratford) and Tom Lord (Auckland).
Matt Sim has also made himself unavailable.
New faces include Terrell Erwood, who has joined the club after leaving New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Matthew Short, who has arrived from Auckland, Bryce Hannam, who has recently moved back to Taranaki after playing last season in Auckland for the Grafton United Cricket Club.
New Plymouth Marist United: Jarred Cunningham (c), Ben Hitchcock, Ryan Fleming, Jason Meuli, Quin Sorensen, Lincoln Reed, Matthew Short, Jarred Cunningham, Terrell Erwood, Joshua Barrett, Ryan Watson, Craig Sole, Tony Manning, Daniel Bernet, Michael Blanks, Jacob Richards, Hayden Birss, Bryce Hannam.
New Plymouth Boys’ High School
It appears New Plymouth Boys’ High School could be in for a rebuilding cycle.
While there are a number of players returning, they have lost some significant names who formed the backbone of the side’s best performances in the last couple of seasons.
There has also been a change in the coaching ranks with Mike Rubick taking over from Ben West.
The promising Caleb Frewin will captain the side.
New Plymouth Boys’ High School: Liam Nelly, Oliver Burbidge, Mitchel Proffit, Caleb Frewin (c), Ben Frewin, Jordan Gard, Quinn Mills, Nathan Trumper, Ryan Gilmour, Zac Betteridge, Tyler Slingsby, Tom Sampson, Jack Parker, Luke Borrell, Sebastian Laurderdale Smith, Reece Trumper, Wiremu Andrews, Chris Logan, Adam Barrett, Mike Rubick.