ON DEBUT: Greerton's Shane Wineti is the only new cap named in the Bay of Plenty cricket team. PHOTO/FILE
ON DEBUT: Greerton's Shane Wineti is the only new cap named in the Bay of Plenty cricket team. PHOTO/FILE
The Bay of Plenty senior representative team to start their defence of the Fergus Hickey Rosebowl and the Brian Dunning Trophy is long on experience with just one new face in the squad.
Three tough matches against the Bay's traditional rivals of Counties Manukau, Northland and Hamilton, are on theagenda of the Bay of Plenty side in the ND season opening one-day tournament, to be held in Taupo from November 10-12.
Joe Carter, who performed with distinction in his first game for the Northern Knights last week, is just one of the quality batsmen selected in the Bay team for the annual Taupo tournament. The prolific run-scorer, who is still a month short of his 21st birthday, has made a real impression in 24 matches for the Bay first XI. A total of 1135 runs with a highest score of 187, testifies to a player headed for higher honours.
The top run-scorer in the team for the Taupo tournament is Bharat Popli with 1819 runs to his credit in 39 games for the Bay. Peter Drysdale is another to blast over 1000 runs while Brett Hampton is regarded as a genuine all-rounder with 1000 runs and 50 wickets to his name.
Greerton skipper Shane Wineti will make his Bay of Plenty first XI debut in Taupo after a number of games for the Bay Development team. He is another who is equally adept with both bat and ball.
The Bay has bowling firepower in spades. Tony Goodin set new Bay bowling figures last season, taking a record 44 wickets, which eclipsed the record of 33 set by Jono Boult the previous season.
Mount spin bowler Dale Swan has made a sensational start to the Baywide premier club season grabbing 13 wickets including a remarkable 6/11 and adding a further two wickets in the Attrill Cup.
Another outstanding bowling option is Northern Knights star bowler Graeme Aldridge, if he isn't required by ND. Mount Maunganui bowler Daniel Hill returns to Bay side after a year's absence following good form in the Baywide competition.
