Cricket: Big guns return for vital game

While it seems too early in the season to say Bay of Plenty's Fergus Hickey two-day game against Northland this weekend is a season-defining game, the reality is the Bay need to win to stay in the hunt.

A win against Counties Manukau and losses to Northland and Hamilton opened the side's defence of the title at the annual ND one-day tournament in Taupo, putting greater significance on the start to the two day season.

Injuries to three players has seen two very experienced allrounders and a quick bowler brought into the Bay side.

Northern Knight Jono Boult has been released by ND for the Northland encounter, with the long-time Bay fixture to play his 55th match in the Bay of Plenty uniform.

A highest score of 107 and best bowling figures of 6/30 tell the tale of the contribution the proud Cadets man has made to Bay of Plenty since his debut a decade ago.

Bay of Plenty coach Ben Williams will hold the player/coach tag for the trip to the far north. A six wicket bag for Te Puke in Baywide cricket last weekend showed the selectors he had quickly hit top form with the ball this season.

Williams is just one of two Bay of Plenty players since 1932 to smash a century and take six wickets in a match.

The third player added to the Bay team is Te Puke fast bowler Jeremy Bates. He is another in the Bay side equally adept with both bat and ball, having smashed a century for Te Puke in Baywide club cricket last season.

Bay of Plenty: Peter Drysdale (c) Joe Carter, Bharat Popli, Tom MacRury, Brett Hampton, Mitch McCann, Tim Clarke, Ben Williams, Tony Goodin, Jeremy Bates, Campbell Thomas, Jono Boult.