Black Caps stars add lustre to shield opening
They have 38 test centuries between them, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. Both are chasing more in seven tests against the Big Three this summer, and act one of rehearsals starts on Monday.
New Zealand’s two batting kingpins and their test team-mates have been made available to their Plunket Shield teams, adding a lot more intrigue to opening day of 2019-20 ahead of England’s arrival on Tuesday for five Twenty20 internationals then two tests.
Taylor’s Central Stags open their title defence against Auckland at Eden Park’s Outer Oval. At Christchurch’s Hagley Oval it’ll be spot the noninternational when Northern Districts hit town.
Williamson, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme and a pretty handy test attack: Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi could all potentially cram into their XI, injury permitting, along with a few fringe internationals.
Canterbury will also have test batsmen Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls seeking early runs and confidence in a high-octane match of the round.
But for most of the shield season over eight rounds it’s about the level below and who raises their hand – or bat – as backup cast.
Bowling depth is strong but batting is a worry outside the well-performed test top-six.
Will Young, still waiting for a test debut after earning his place as designated backup, won’t be back for the Stags until the T20 Super Smash in December at the earliest after shoulder surgery.
Wellington wicketkeeper Tom Blundell – whose side host Otago – has patiently waited as Watling’s deputy and batting cover and shown he’s capable of the next level up.
Otherwise the cricketing hierarchy scratch their heads about quality young batsmen who could step in for Williamson or Taylor if injury hit.
In our season preview we look at a batsman from each side who could shine and offer hope for the country’s thinning batting stocks.
AUCKLAND ACES
Last season: Plunket Shield 3rd; Ford Trophy 3rd; Super Smash beaten in elimination final
How they shape up: Runner-up to Gary Stead in the Black Caps coaching race, Heinrich Malan takes the reins after a successful stint with the Stags. Corey Anderson, after a string of injuries, and the towering figure of seamer Kyle Jamieson are two key gains in an already strong squad which should contend in all three formats.
Batsman to watch: Sean Solia (last season 415 runs at 31.92). An allrounder who’s been on the Black Caps’ fringe, Solia shifted up to the top-three and finished the Plunket Shield season strongly with three half-centuries in his last five innings. Has the natural ability and at age 26 this is his time to kick on.
Contracted squad: Finn Allen, Corey Anderson, Graeme Beghin, Jamie Brown, Craig Cachopa, Mark Chapman, Louis Delport, Danru Ferns, Ben Horne, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Lister, Matt McEwan, Robbie O’Donnell, Glenn Phillips, Sean Solia, Will Somerville.
Black Caps: Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Jeet Raval.
NORTHERN DISTRICTS
Last season: Plunket Shield 4th; Ford Trophy 4th; Super Smash runners-up
How they shape up: Will start the season with an all-star XI and should bank crucial points but with eight contracted Black Caps and three other T20 international regulars, depth will be their big test. T20 format should be their strongest after they set the pace and were run down last summer.
Batsman to watch: Henry Cooper (last season 471 runs at 36.23). Now with 20 first-class matches to his name and a tidy career average of 35.84, he has a launching pad to go onto big scores with the experienced duo of Daniel Flynn and Dean Brownlie close by.
Contracted squad: James Baker, Peter Bocock, Dean Brownlie, Joe Carter, Henry Cooper, Anton Devcich, Matthew Fisher, Daniel Flynn, Zak Gibson, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Bharat Popli, Brett Randell, Tim Seifert, Joe Walker.
Black Caps: Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.
CENTRAL STAGS
Last season: Plunket Shield champions; Ford Trophy 5th; Super Smash champions
How they shape up: The standout team of last season but will start their shield defence with injury worries under new coach Aldin Smith, formerly at the helm of Nelson’s rep side. Key batsmen Will Young and Tom Bruce, and fast bowler Adam Milne are all making delayed starts after surgery. Still the Stags always have depth and with a deep bowling attack will be a handful again, as they await the arrival of Mickey Arthur, a top signing as T20 coach.
Batsman to watch: Willem Ludick (last season 197 runs at 65.66). A former South Africa Under-19 rep who joined the flood of cricketing talent to New Zealand, Ludick also bowls some tidy medium pacers but should make an impact with the bat. Scored 116 not out against Canterbury in his second firstclass game last summer and at age 22 has plenty in front of him.
Contracted squad: Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Greg Hay, Christian Leopard, Adam Milne, Ajaz Patel, Willem Ludick, Seth Rance, Bevan Small, Ben Smith, Blair Tickner, Ben Wheeler, George Worker.
Black Caps: Ross Taylor, Will Young.
WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS
Last season: Plunket Shield 5th; Ford Trophy champions; Super Smash 5th
How they shape up: Another side with a new coach, Glenn Pocknall, a respected deputy who was odds-on to succeed Bruce Edgar when he retired. Largely unchanged and look strong again if their bowlers can stay on the park and Black Cap-in-waiting Devon Conway has another dominant season with the bat. Will miss veteran spinner Jeetan Patel for the first three rounds as he makes a cameo as England’s T20 spin bowling consultant.
Batsman to watch: Rachin Ravindra (last season 231 runs at 33). Long tipped by good judges as a future international, the retirement of Luke Woodcock should open the door at the top for the left-hander to deliver on that promise. Still just 19 and had a tidy last season, also offers some accurate leftarm spin to make him an appealing prospect in all formats.
Contracted squad: Hamish Bennett, Jakob Bhula, Michael Bracewell, Fraser Colson, Devon Conway, Andrew Fletcher, Jamie Gibson, Lauchie Johns, Iain McPeake, Ollie Newton, Malcolm Nofal, Jeetan Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband.
Black Caps: Tom Blundell, Jimmy Neesham.
CANTERBURY
Last season: Plunket Shield runnersup; Ford Trophy last; Super Smash last
How they shape up: Were having a season to forget under coach Brendon Donkers, then finally got it together to make a late charge at the Plunket Shield before the Christchurch mosque attack ensured their final match was abandoned. Top-order runs outside the rejuvenated Stephen Murdoch will again be the question, and how much they see of Black Caps wicket machine Matt Henry with the loss of Jamieson a big blow.
Batsman to watch: Leo Carter (last season 279 runs at 39.85). Had his best first-class season, playing just five matches and averaging nearly 40. With 25 matches under his belt the 24-yearold will want to boost that tally of one century and show he is a top-order prospect to keep an eye on.
Contracted squad: Chad Bowes, Jack Boyle, Leo Carter, Blake Coburn, Andrew Ellis, Cameron Fletcher, Andrew Hazeldine, Jackson Latham, Ken McClure, Cole McConchie, Stephen Murdoch, Ed Nuttall, Fraser Sheat, Henry Shipley, Will Williams, Theo van Woerkom.
Black Caps: Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls.
OTAGO VOLTS
Last season: Plunket Shield last; Ford Trophy runners-up; Super Smash 4th
How they shape up: Awoke from their slumber and horror run of results to storm through the 50-over competition before losing to the Firebirds in the decider. That should give the Volts hope, with Neil Broom again available for red ball cricket and a trio of promising batsmen moving south: Dean Foxcroft (CD), Nick Kelly (ND) and Dale Phillips (Auckland) – Glenn’s younger brother. Bowling depth remains the big question.
Batsman to watch: Dean Foxcroft (last season 61 runs at 15.25). Another former South Africa Under-19 rep, Foxcroft played just three first-class matches for the Stags but made big strides in white ball cricket. He averaged 52 in six 50-over matches and played a match-turning knock in the Super Smash final. The 21-year-old also has some useful offspin as another string to his bow.
Contracted squad: Matt Bacon, Neil Broom, Max Chu, Mark Craig, Jacob Duffy, Josh Finnie, Dean Foxcroft, Cam Hawkins, Nick Kelly, Anaru Kitchen, Dale Phillips, Michael Rae, Mitch Renwick, Michael Rippon, Hamish Rutherford, Nathan Smith.