Boys' XI chase NZ title ... and butter chicken

Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar ... the names roll off the tongue as smooth as butter chicken, but ask Amandeep Singh to rattle through India's cricketing legends and he looks puzzled.
Singh, born in India but New Zealand raised, doesn't identify with any superstars from his former homeland.
In fact, the 1.96m-tall fast bowler doesn't have many cricketing heroes at all, "although I do like the occasional nasty fasty who charges and aims at the body instead of the wickets."
Singh will need to harness all his considerable pace over the next few days as the Tauranga Boys' College first XI contests the final of the national secondary schools Gillette Cup at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North.
Tauranga Boys' have qualified for the first time from 159 schools nationwide and will take on Howick College (Auckland), Rathkeale College (Wairarapa) and Christchurch Boys' High from tomorrow to Sunday.
Singh, 18, arrived in New Zealand as a 6-year-old after leaving Punjab but was a tweaker until his once-squat frame filled out.
"I used to be one of those big-boned fat boys, too lazy to bowl fast but happy to stroll in off three or four paces and roll down some spin.
"Suddenly I shot up after my first year at Tauranga Boys' College and found it more of a buzz charging in and bowling fast. I didn't care if I took any wickets, I just wanted to see the wicketkeeper take the ball over his head or get the batsmen moving."
Singh is impressive in full flight, rhythmic and flowing. He made his Bay of Plenty debut three three ago and has played age-group cricket for Northern Districts.
He talks up Tauranga Boys' chances this weekend _ but win, lose or draw he's guaranteed to be a popular cog in the first XI's wheel given one of the four Indian restaurants his father owns is in Palmerston North.
"He owns restaurants in Napier, Rotorua and Palmerston North, which my brother Kuldeep runs, so there's sure to be an Indian meal or two for all of the boys this weekend.
"When we were in Palmerston North for the Super 8 tournament it rained for two days and all we did was sit around and eat butter chicken!"
Tauranga Boys' coach Josh Syms knows what is expected of his team this week _ he won the Gillette Cup with Palmerston North Boys' High in 1998.
"It's cut-throat, with three one-day games in such a condensed timeframe, making it vital we start with a win to kickstart the confidence."
Rathkeale and Christchurch Boys are past winners, with Christchurch chasing the national first XI cricket/first XV rugby double.
Rathkeale are coached by former Bay of Plenty and New Zealand quick Brendon Bracewell.
The top 12 performers from this week's tournament will travel to Wellington to participate in an elite coaching clinic with four Black Caps.
New Zealand Cricket announced the elite clinic today as part of their programme to identify and develop rising talent.
Players will be picked primarily on their performance throughout the Gillette Cup finals weekend, with the squad announced at Sunday's awards dinner.
Syms predicts his side will hit Manawatu tonight the best prepared of all four finalists.
They went to Queensland in September on a two-week pre-season tour, winning three out of four games, and are mid-table in the Western Bay one-day championship.
"We're a solid team rather than a few star individuals but someone different always manages to step up each week and win a game for us.
"(Former Black Caps coach) Denis Aberhart told the boys earlier in the season BTB (Better Than Before) and we've been talking that all week.
"Eight of this team are leaving school this year and this is their chance to create a bit more history at Tauranga Boys' College. I hope they take it."
Tauranga Boys' College:
Steven Rae (capt), Ben Christensen, Adam Peacock, Laxman Popli, Kane Williamson, Dane Sorrenson, Tim Clark, Matt Golding, Amandeep Singh, Matt Sadd, Daniel Abricossow, Robbie Lucas.