Hawke Cup preview: Holders Bay of Plenty face Counties Manukau

Peter Drysdale, right, will lead Bay of Plenty into the first defence of the Hawke Cup beginning today at Te Puke. Photo / File

Bay of Plenty will look to defend the Hawke Cup against Counties Manukau at the Te Puke Domain this weekend from Saturday through to Monday.

It is Bay of Plenty's 33rd appearance in the competition since 1932.

Since relieving Hamilton of the Hawke Cup in January 2013, Bay of Plenty have been the dominant force in Hawke Cup cricket. They have contested 10 of the 20 Hawke Cup challenges since beating Hamilton, winning the NZ Cricket prize on two occasions and mounting eight successful defences.

The defending champions' current stretch of victories began when they defeated Hawke's Bay in March 2016, followed by four successful defences last year.

"Although there have been a number of challenges leading up to the Hawke Cup game, including playing away from our regular home ground of the Bay Oval, the side is very excited to be playing at one of the Bay's oldest and picturesque grounds at the Te Puke Domain," Bay of Plenty coach Charles Williams said.

"We know how much effort the club has put in over the last few weeks and the facilities have been upgraded for the Hawke Cup match there this weekend."

The Bay team selected to play Counties Manukau has Hawke Cup
experience in spades. Captain Peter Drysdale will set a Bay of Plenty Hawke Cup appearance record of 13 matches, after previously sharing the record with Derek Beard. Drysdale has captained the Bay team to nine victories, with the other successful skippers being the late ADG Roberts (4), Beard (1), Robbie Hart (1) and Jono Boult (1).

"Our team is stacked with experience, with the likes of Bharat Popli rejoining the side after ND duties. Add to that Joe Carter, Jono Boult, new ND player Sean Davey and obviously our most capped player in the side and captain Pete Drysdale; we are very confident that we have the side to defend the Hawke Cup," Williams said.

"With the experience, we also balance this with youth. Tim Pringle is fresh off ND under-17s, and Super 8 cricket and is very excited to play his first Hawke Cup match as a new Tauranga Boys' College Year 11 student. His left-arm orthos will also be a point of difference in our spinning ranks.

"Tommy Clout seems like he has been around the Bay scene for a long time, but he is still young, and after a lengthy injury spell plays his first Hawke Cup match since we regained the Cup against Hawke's Bay two seasons ago. He and Sean Davey will lead our medium-pace attack.

"The weather looks great, and everything is in place for what looks to be a very intriguing three days of Hawke Cup cricket."

Hawke Cup Challenge, Te Puke Domain January 27-29
Bay of Plenty team (Hawke Cup games in brackets)
RPO Drysdale captain (12), JJ Boult vice-captain (6), TJ Clarke (10), TJ Pringle (0), SB Davey (9), JF Carter (8), TJ Clout (6), CM Atkinson (4), BS Musgrave (7), AJ Blackett (0), TJ MacRury (10), B Popli (5). Coach: Charles Williams, Assistant Coach: Russell Williams

Counties Manukau
Luke Williamson ©, Tristan Payle, Ash Vodnala, Michael Schofield, Amitoze Singh, Scott Johnston, Ryan Phizackerley, James Naylor, JJ Mills, Reid Somani, Sam Varcoe, Ben Reece.