Possibly the biggest schedule in about 140 years of Hawke's Bay representative cricket is in store as the current squad looks to a new season defending national challenge trophy the Hawke Cup.
The Covid-19 crisis meant two of the four 2021/22 challenges were unable to be played as scheduled earlier this year.
Their postponement into the approaching season means the side could play 11 matches, plus the Chapple Cup Central District limited overs tournament.
With the 16-team Kilbirnie Sports HBCA Twenty20 tournament opening the season on October 7-9 and a representative trial match on October 21-22 (the Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day and Labour Day holiday weekend), the programme impacts at least 13 of the October-March season's 23 weekends, meaning there are significant impacts on the Hawke's Bay club competition.
Part-mirroring the impact of professional rugby on the amateur game, representative players contracted at the professional level to Central Districts will barely see a ball of club cricket.