The Bay of Plenty cricket team are heading into new territory when they play in the annual Northern Districts tournament in Taupo, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Last season the annual tournament for the Brian Dunning Trophy, saw 50-over cricket interspersed with two games of Twenty20 on the opening day.
This year Bay of Plenty will play all five other ND minor associations in T20 combat. They open their Taupo tournament campaign against Waikato Valley and Counties Manukau, before meeting Poverty Bay, Northland and Hamilton in successive matches.
"The team is very excited to be playing this new T20 format and will be going with the single goal of bringing home the trophy," Bay of Plenty coach Charles Williams said.
"We have experience in spades with not only our players but also the conditions in Taupo. Our short-format captain Jono Boult has extensive Twenty20 experience and we will look to him for leadership in Taupo. Jono is constantly talking so it is natural to use his skill-set as captain. I have been very impressed with his guidance and coaching of our younger squad members and have no doubt that Jono's captaincy will strengthen our team in Taupo."