Canterbury rocked by injuries on eve of shield opener
Canterbury have put in an emergency call to Australia for a fast bowler as the Plunket Shield champions contend with an injury crisis to begin the summer.
Already missing leading quicks Ed Nuttall (back stress fracture) and Kyle Jamieson (right foot) until December, Canterbury have been dealt further bad news ahead of their four-day opener against Otago at Hagley Oval, starting on Monday.
Young South Canterbury seamer Nathan McNicol, who is yet to play at first class level, suffered a tear in his pectoral tendon during last week’s six wicket pre-season loss against Otago in Alexandra. Canterbury coach Gary Stead said they were still determining whether McNicol would require surgery.
Fellow fast bowler Henry Shipley is rated a ‘‘50-50 chance’’ of playing the opener due to a hamstring problem, forcing Stead to contact several Australian state sides, including New South Wales, who Canterbury have a relationship with.
He couldn’t reveal names, but with Australia’s Sheffield Shield domestic competition starting next week, someone on the fringes of their squads would need to be targetted.
‘‘We’re looking at people through club cricket, our [Canterbury] ‘A’ programme and considering overseas options from Australia,’’ Stead said.
‘‘We’re pretty vulnerable at the moment with where we’re at. I’m pretty nervous whenever I go to training and a pace bowler is bowling, what might happen.’’
Canterbury look set to field one of their greenest Plunket Shield line-ups in many years against a strong Otago side, who will contain past and present Black Caps Hamish Rutherford, Neil Wagner, James Neesham, Neil Broom, Mark Craig and possibly Rob Nicol, depending on his Achilles recovery.
Stead is also without captain and experienced all-rounder Andrew Ellis, who broke a carpal bone (one of the eight bones connecting the hand to the forearm) in a quad series pre-season match on October 1.
Ellis’ non-dominant left hand is still in plaster, but he has been bowling in the nets and could be in contention for their second round match against Northern Districts in Rangiora, starting October 30.
Former Christchurch Boys’ High standout Fraser Sheat, a 19-year-old right-arm quick, is poised for a first class debut with Will Williams the only fit fast bowler in Canterbury’s 15-man contracted squad.
Pace bowler Matt Henry and batsmen Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls are all with the New Zealand squad in India, as is legspinner Todd Astle, who looks set to be robbed of an international recall due to a groin issue.
Adding to Stead’s selection nightmare is a concussion to batsman Ken McClure, who will need to pass medical protocols to play. McClure hit 115 in the second innings against Otago, but was forced to retire after hitting a short ball into his helmet, which left him with headaches.
Stead said it was easily the worst run with injuries he had encountered since taking over as coach in 2012. That created opportunities for players and several inexperienced Plunket Shield performers will need to step up.
With Ellis out and veteran Peter Fulton having retired over the off-season, Canterbury will have a new skipper against Otago. Cole McConchie, Leo Carter and Chad Bowes are the frontrunners to lead the team.
Canterbury will have a selection meeting today and look to name their 12 tomorrow.