OBR openers key to Shield T20 chances

OBR opener Kieran Venema in action against Bollywood Stars last month . . . Venema and fellow opener Craig Christophers have been in outstanding form this season and will be key to OBR’s effort tonight in the Walker Shield T20 cricket final. File picture by Liam Clayton

OBR openers Craig Christophers and Kieran Venema will be key players in tonight’s Walker Shield T20 cricket final at Harry Barker Reserve, from 5.30pm — when Bain Construction OBR take on Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates. Both players have been in outstanding form this season.

“When you start an innings well it allows you to dictate the pace of the game and aim for a particular total,” said club captain Ian Loffler, another big-match player. “Kieran gets the pace of the wicket before he plays big shots and as the season has gone on, he has really hit gaps well.

"Craig is more flamboyant at times but his experience is really valued and he knows how to build an innings. When you start the game well, or innings well, it gives other guys confidence in playing shots and believing in success.”

Loffler said Arun Kurup was bowling well in the nets.

“Arun will be an important bowler in the middle overs for us.”

Medium pacers Jimmy Holden and Timoti Weir are also expected to feature as OBR bid to land the second leg of the treble — with a sudden-death DJ Barry Cup semifinal match against Bollywood Stars on Saturday. Holden is in sensational form with the new ball, knocking over top orders and mopping up the tail.

Pirates go in as underdogs but with Brad Reynold, Alu Smith, Richie Needham, Dan Torrie, Hollis and David Situ in their side, skipper Mitchell Turner has a core of experience and youth to potentially cause an upset. Mitchell can be a matchwinner with the ball.

After a six-wicket bag for Poverty Bay against Counties Manukau, he claimed 2-50 off 15 overs, including four maidens, against a strong Hamilton batting line-up in a 50-overs game here at the weekend.