Mount cricket match to be a knock out

Element IMF Otumoetai Cadets batsman Joe Carter is another likely to play a role in the three matches at the home of Bay of Plenty Cricket. Photo / File

Bay of Plenty cricket fans are not only counting down the days to Christmas but also the sleeps to the three Ford Trophy matches to be played at Bay Oval next month.

The 50-over competition has flagged in recent years due to the relative popularity of Twenty20 cricket, but there will be no shortage of interest in Mount Maunganui in the coming weeks due to the large number of Bay of Plenty players likely to don Northern Knights colours.

Northern Knights skipper Daniel Flynn will be right at home next month while leading his side in three Ford Trophy matches at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval.

While Bay of Plenty Black Caps Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Corey Anderson will be unavailable due to national commitments, up to half a dozen Bay players could wear the Knights colours in front of friends and family.

Knights skipper Daniel Flynn and Graeme Aldridge are tried and tested at this level - Aldridge first made his debut for the Knights back in the 1998/99 season - but it is the cast of young faces that will draw much of the attention.

Chief among them will be Joe Carter, who burst into the side last season and went on to set a new record for the most first class runs in a debut season.

His 674 in the Plunket Shield came with a highest score of 95, with his first Knights century coming earlier in the season against Otago.

Former Bay of Plenty captain Jono Boult, a vital part of the Knights Twenty20 squad, will be keen to push his case in the other limited overs format while Bharat Popli and Tony Goodin will also look to push their cases in a competitive squad.