Horouta line-up boosted

READY TO RIP IN: Horouta quick bowler Graham Hudson, in OBR colours last season, is expected to return to the bowling crease tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

Two cricketers forced off the park by injury are set to return tomorrow, providing a boost for the Horouta club.

All-rounder Graham Hudson hasn't bowled in a match since the first game of Poverty Bay's club season on November 2 because of a back complaint.

Jo van der Veen, the women's cricket development officer for Poverty Bay Cricket, has had a more lengthy injury lay-off but has been named to make her debut for the club tomorrow.

The addition of the pair is welcome news for Horouta, who are due to take on Bollywood Stars High School Old Boys in a DJ Barry Cup clash at Harry Barker Reserve.

Van der Veen is an option to keep wicket, although Horouta captain and wicketkeeper David Situ indicated he would keep the gloves for now, and she might slot into the middle order.

Hudson bowls quick and can score at a good clip with the bat.

“He's been looking really good at practice,” Situ said.

Both teams could be rusty tomorrow.

Horouta haven't played since December 7, when they fell short of making the Doleman Cup 40-over competition final, losing to OBR that day.

HSOB haven't played since the December 14 Doleman Cup final, which they won.

The opening round of the DJ Barry Cup, for which the teams play a longer format of the sport, was washed out last week but Gisborne's weather is forecast to be fine tomorrow.

MetService predicted a high of 28 degrees Celsius.

HSOB captain Carl Shaw said his side were keen to play cricket again after a long break.

“We always love playing against Horouta,” he said.

“The games are played in the best spirit.”

The format — where teams pick up points for passing run targets and taking wickets, ramping up the emphasis on tactics — is new to both captains. Both said teammates who were familiar with the format would have input into decision-making.

Promoted to the A Grade this season, Horouta picked up two wins in the 40-over competition and their willingness to graft should help them in the next phase of the summer.

Situ said they would take a similar attitude into the DJ Barry Cup.

“We'll have much the same mindset — proving we can play in this grade.”

The game is scheduled to start at 1pm.