Pivotal figures add spice to clash
And the silver linings
Changing, and returning, faces in both teams should give an extra spark when champions Auckland play Wellington in the opening round of the Plunket Shield at Mt Maunganui today.
It’s Wellington’s home game, but the Basin Reserve is unavailable. They are bolstered by former international batsman Hamish Marshall, back after a lengthy tenure at English county Gloucestershire, and fast bowler Hamish Bennett has relocated from Canterbury.
Add in offspinner Jeetan Patel, recalled to the national team for the last two tests in India, and they’ll be a capable outfit.
Auckland have signed Wellington’s sparky seamer Dane Hutchinson, who is ready for some chat from his old teammates.
“I always do like a bit of a chirp, be- ing an Aussie it’s in my nature,” said Hutchinson, who took 22 wickets in seven games last season.
“They are going to play with ticker and are bringing a decent side up, it’s up to us to get the job done.”
Auckland, a United Nations lineup in which eight players were born outside New Zealand, have lost veteran seamer Michael Bates, who has retired.
But the team have a balance in their attack and a settled batting group in which opener Jeet Raval will be keen to build on a stellar 2015- 16 season, which has him on the brink of national selection.
Fast- medium Lockie Ferguson is another who has attracted interest with his form of the last year.
In other opening round fixtures, Central Districts host Otago in Nelson, while Canterbury, runners- up last summer, play Northern Districts in Christchurch.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio shone through the early stages of the season, stringing together breakthrough performances in the Quad Series. Then, when a family bereavement and niggly injuries stalled Ekenasio’s progress, Te Paea Selby- Rickit, playing in her debut season, emerged. The net result is the Ferns now have three strong options at goal attack.