Magicians braced for heavy schedule

The fitness levels of the Canterbury Magicians women’s cricketers are better than last season – and they will need to be, with six days’ play, starting today, out of the next eight.

Canterbury face another frontrunning team, Auckland, in a three-game series at Lincoln, beginning with a Twenty 20 match on Bert Sutcliffe Oval today and followed by two one-dayers tomorrow and on Sunday.

All six teams gather at Lincoln for the second round of the series, with the first having been held earlier this month, when Canterbury won two of their three games against Wellington.

After this round the teams have just two days off before resuming, with Canterbury facing Northern Districts at Rangiora’s Mainpower Oval.

Coach Brendon Donkers said the players’ fitness levels had to be high to cope with that intensity.

‘‘Our levels are better than last season but need to be, and we’ve got the full squad of 14 to choose from.’’

Donkers welcomed Canterbury playing both rounds in their home region, which he said would help to maximise their performance.

‘‘We know about the conditions, and it also means if someone gets a niggle, then we have treatment right on hand.’’

He said Jacinta Savage (thumb injury) and Janet Brehaut (knee operation) were both able to play a full part as required.

Half of the squad have just come off a rigorous week playing for the Canterbury under-21 team at the national tournament, also at Lincoln.

Donkers said Auckland, who opened their campign with three victories against Northern, were powerful rivals. They qualified top for last season’s one-day final, which Canterbury won in Auckland. ‘‘They have a strong battling lineup.’’