Cricket: HB underdogs against Manawatu

VETERAN: Bronson Meehan makes a return for Hawke's Bay in their crucial match against Manawatu in the Hawke Cup-qualifying zone 2 Furlong Cup match in Napier from today. PHOTO/FILE

It's rare to look back in Hawke's Bay senior men's cricket history to find them wearing the underdogs' tag on their home turf.

Today the Pay Excellence-sponsored Bay side are just that when they play a season-defining, Hawke Cup-qualifying zone 2 Furlong Cup match against table-topping Manawatu in Napier.

"We'll be underdogs because we're a young side," Bay coach Colin Schaw said yesterday before the sides lock horns at Nelson Park from today in the two-day match.

But that is not to say the hosts are in awe of the Michael Mason-coached visitors.

"We have to take a no holds-barred approach to challenge them," said Schaw of the Jacob Smith-captained Bay who sit below Manawatu because of an inferior run rate.

The Bay are coming off an outright victory over Taranaki here while the visitors emulated that feat against Whanganui.

The balance of provincial cricket has shifted from the Bay to Manawatu in the past few summers, reflected by their representation in the different levels of the domestic arena.

With Indika Senarathne recalled to the CD Stags for today's Ford Trophy grand final, fellow Complete Flooring Napier Technical Old Boys batsman Bronson Meehan comes into the top order.

In the only other change, bowler Charlie Robson is out with a shoulder injury and in comes Dominic Thompson, albeit as a batsman.

"Dom gets a crack and James Field was unlucky but he'll get his opportunity.

For Schaw, the catches behind the stumps and slip cordon will be the key to victory. The Bay have boasted safe hands so far.

"Their batsmen seem to be scoring heaps of runs," Schaw said, expecting his bowling attack to keep them honest.

Manawatu, he noted, had a rash of top-order batsmen in the second-tier CD side.

"We have young guys who give their 100 per cent so it won't be through a lack of trying."

He felt the No7 wicket, prepared for the Black Caps to train on Thursday, would remain true to tradition as a pelter despite head groundsman Phil Stoyanoff keeping it under the covers.

"Moisture won't be a problem. Whoever wins the toss will try to put the runs on the board first."

Schaw said if there was one thing that came through loud and clear with the game against Taranaki, it was his troops' calibre.

HAWKE'S BAY: Jacob Smith (c), Matt Edmondson, Rupert Young, Callum Hewetson, Angus Schaw, Kurt Richards, Scott Schaw (wk), Giliam Christoffel Pretorius, Dominic Thomson, Ben Stoyanoff, Liam Dudding, Bronson Meehan.

Coach: Colin Schaw.

MANAWATU (possible): Luke Murray, Bryn Cleaver, Mitchell Renwick, Dave Meiring, Hayden Hill, Logan McHardy, Robbie Yule, David Gaskin (wk), Thomas Kuggelelijn, Tim Richards, Jack Gleeson.

Coach: Michael Mason.