Squaring off in the heat of day

Graham Hudson, batting last weekend for Horouta, lets this delivery from seam bowler Andrew Gibbs go through to the High School Old Boys wicketkeeper. Both Hudson and Gibbs will turn out for Poverty Bay against Waikato Valley's second 11 in a Basil McBurney Trophy match at Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

Poverty Bay go into the heat of rep cricket battle against Waikato Valley's second 11 tomorrow searching for their first win in 50-over matches this summer.

The two sides will square off at Harry Barker Reserve in a Basil McBurney Trophy fixture and the occasion is not expected to lack warmth.

MetService has forecast Gisborne's temperature to soar to 35 degrees Celsius tomorrow afternoon.

That may influence the captain who wins the toss to field first, getting through some overs when it's a little cooler, given the 10.30am start time.

However, Poverty Bay captain Andrew Gibbs had a profitable experience in the heat last Saturday.

The seamer grabbed an eight-wicket haul when he turned out for the High School Old Boys club, bowling 14 overs on the trot on a day when the temperature nudged 30C.

Poverty Bay are boosted by the return of quick bowler Graham Hudson.

After a break while he recovered from a back injury, he bowled 15 overs last Saturday and seemed to come through it fine.

Drew Brierley, from Taupo, who filled in for Poverty Bay at a T20 tournament there before Christmas, covering for injury, has been added to the side.

Ryan Majstrovic, one of the selectors, said Brierley, an off-spinner who can also give the ball a bit of tap when he bats, added enthusiasm to the mix.

Poverty Bay have lost two batsmen — Thorn Parkes and Robbie Tallott — making their return to university.

Parkes captained Poverty Bay in the Northern Districts T20 tournament.

Of tomorrow's Poverty Bay squad, two — top-order batsmen Nic Hendrie and Bruce Kerr — are in the Northern Districts A squad.

Parkes is an ND A player, too, and Hudson is pushing for a place.

Poverty Bay: Andrew Gibbs (captain), Nic Hendrie, Parminder Kulaar, Bruce Kerr, Drew Brierley, Graham Hudson, Rowan Smith, Scott Tallott, Josiah Turner, Paul Stewart, Marshall Norris, Jimmy Holden, Sam Patterson.