Players look for form in Coastal Challenge
The Coastal Challenge Cup cricket competition resumes this weekend after a three-week hiatus.
The competition is evenly poised and, for the Riverview Motel Whanganui rep players, these matches take on an extra edge as the competition heats up for places in the side for the home match against High Mark Homes Wairarapa on January 16/17.
After a comprehensive loss to Hawke’s Bay in Napier where the Whanganui side was wrecked by unavailability and injuries, the players will be keen to get back into action on their Tasman Tanning Victoria Park home pitch.
Ben Smith may return to the side as he has not been required for the Central Districts Stags in their T20 competition. His ability and leadership would be invaluable.
Max Carroll was the only batsman to stand up in Hawke’s Bay with a gutsy unbeaten half century and followed that up with a matchwinning unbeaten 130 for his Property Brokers United side against Kapiti Old Boys.
Wanganui Vet Services Marist veterans Chris Stewart and Mark Fraser continue to score heavily in the Coastal Challenge. Player/coach allrounder Ross Kinnerley and fellow Marist players Hadleigh O’Leary and Trent Hemi have been short of runs recently and will be keen to rectify that this weekend.
Sam Sherriff and Matt Simes will resume cricket for their Palmerston North and Wellington club sides respectively.
Former Black Caps international Andrew Penn has thrown his name into the selection mix with three quality innings for his United side. His knowledge of the game and tactical nous would be beneficial.
Penn’s United team-mate Chris Sharrock has scored some invaluable runs in the mid-lower order this season and his wicket keeping is tidy. William
Hocquard is a
new addition to the squad and was involved in a century opening partnership on his Marist debut.
On the bowling front, the competition is also fierce.
Connor O’Leary was impressive in his last outing with four wickets against Wairarapa United CC and his aggression at the start of the innings will be required against Wairarapa. In the same game his Marist teammate Fraser Kinnerley took three wickets while conceding just 17 runs from his 10 overs.
Ross Kinnerley has a good rep record over the last 10 years and he can be relied on to perform solidly. United’s John Beale has bowled better with each showing this season. He produced a good spell in Hawke’s Bay against quality opposition and was good again in United’s narrow victory in Paraparaumu when he took 4/35.
Young seamer Hunter Morrison was impressive in demolishing Whanganui Collegiate with 7/28, but he struggled for consistency with his run up in his next outing. Joel Clark, fresh from representing Central Districts at the national U19 tournament, could potentially be called on.
Future players with potential such as Collegiate’s Carter Hobbs,
Oscar Mabin, Oscar McVerry and Daniel Burgess will be keen to reinforce their credentials after a disappointing CD U17 tournament for the Whanganui side.
A strong Manawatu side won the CD tournament comfortably after demolishing Hawke’s Bay in the final.
The current rep players will also be keen to improve on their respective records this season.
After just three completed matches the top batsmen and bowlers are:
Sam Sheriff 87 runs at 43.5
Ben Smith 74 runs at 37.0 Max Carroll 73 runs at 24.3
Ross Kinnerley 7 wickets at 24.5
Connor O’Leary 3 wickets at 46.8
John Beale 2 wickets at 39.0