Firebirds seek fast start to the season

After the longest pre-season players have experienced in domestic cricket, Wellington are ready to get their season underway.

The surroundings will be a little unfamiliar, given Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui isn’t usually a home venue for Wellington, but such is the early season Basin Reserve wicket that Bruce Edgar and company have had to head north for their season opener against Otago.

They’ve been greeted by a green early season pitch, which is to be expected given poor weather in the lead up to the Plunket Shield opener.

It’s likely a deck Wellington captain Michael Papps would rather get a first look at on day two, giving his bowlers an opportunity to get their seasons off to a flyer.

Either way, Papps said the players can’t wait to get away from the nets and play some actual, competitive cricket.