Cricket: Knights work hard for Indian battles

Joe Carter is after a place in the Northern Knights squad to contest the Champions League in India. Photo / File

The Northern Knights have started preparations early this year, as they look forward to the T20 Champions League tournament in India in September.

The Knights' first game is on September 13 against the Southern Express of Sri Lanka in Raipur, followed by Lahore Lions of Pakistan and the Mumbai Indians from the IPL.

Coach James Pamment is optimistic about doing well in the tournament, saying "we're not going to make up the numbers, we're going to win".

Usually, the team would only get together at the start of October but training is already under way at the Bay Oval. The sessions have been tough, because they will be playing in Indian conditions with three games in four days.

"It will be challenging," said Pamment. "But we hope to have good recovery strategies in place. The team is looking strong, with a good mix of players who have good records."

The Knights have a mix of young and more senior players, with local Tauranga players Joe Carter and Bharat Popli signing contracts last month.

The two former Tauranga Boys' College students had success at all levels as they came through the Bay of Plenty cricket senior men's team and then on to Northern Districts A and the Knights.

Northern Districts have a long-term athlete development programme which has the aim of bringing younger, exciting players to the top level from the Tauranga region.