Bay hope to upset a few applecarts

YOUNG GUN: Pirates medium-pace bowler Sam Patterson, above, and Gisborne Boys’ High School captain Paul Stewart have been picked for the Poverty Bay squad to play in the Northern Districts Twenty20 tournament. Picture by Liam Clayton

Poverty Bay have named a strong squad for the Northern Districts Twenty20 cricket tournament over three days in Taupo, starting tomorrow.

“If everybody pulls their weight we could cause some upsets,” said captain Nick Hendrie, who is one of three Bollywood Poverty Bay selectors.

“It’s a big squad — 14 — and the boys are excited this year.

“I’m wanting to grow a brotherhood culture in the team where we all play for each other.

“We might not have the stars that other districts have but I’d like to think that if we get the team spirit right on the day, we’ll be more than competitive.”

Two players not available are Inder Singh (High School Old Boys) and Baxter Mackay (Pirates).

Singh has left the country, while Mackay has work commitments.

Another of the selectors, Ryan Majstrovic, said the strength of the squad was evident from the fact that one of the last names in it was that of a Poverty Bay cricket legend — Jimmy Holden.

“It shows that Nick and Lance (Cairns, coach and selector) have put together an impressive representative programme,” Majstrovic said.

“Guys are producing quality performances and strong numbers putting their hand up for selection.

“That guys of considerable ability — Ajay Kumar and Drew Scott —missed out is further testament to this.”

Strong performances from two of the district’s most promising players, Sam Patterson (Pirates) and Paul Stewart (Gisborne Boys’ High School), have earned them spots in the squad.

Mackay, who has been leading batting performances for Pirates (Doleman Cup) and the Eagles (Walker Shield T15 Blast), was another in this category but could not get off work.

The return of HSOB co-captain and medium-pace bowler Jak Rowe is a huge bonus.

“Jak’s come back from injury and is looking sharp,” Majstrovic said.

“He bowled eight straight overs in the Doleman Cup final last week, taking on the OBR top order in tandem with Inder.

“We’re looking forward to having Jak’s left-arm medium pace as variation, and to seeing how he stacks up against some seriously talented guys who will be in Taupo.

In Hendrie, Bruce Kerr and Robbie Tallott, the Bay have three top-order batsmen with first-class ambitions.

“You can add Matt Crampton and Graham Hudson, two all-rounders who are capable of the same,” Majstrovic said.

“And with Thomas Hayes, who is among the top run-scorers for Premier T20 cricket in Hamilton, Craig Christophers and Scott Tallott, we have a side capable of scoring the number of runs required to be competitive.”

Gisborne Boys’ High School player-coach Josiah Turner has been a tremendous addition to Poverty Bay cricket and is another all-rounder batting in the lower order.

Poverty Bay’s opponents are Bay of Plenty, Counties, Hamilton, Northland and Waikato Valley.