Cricket: Stags go back to basics in bid to trump Aces

Central Districts Stags skipper Kieran Noema-Barnett (left) and Black Cap Doug Bracewell return to the Stags for the Plunket Shield fixture against the Auckland Aces, which begins at Napier's Nelson Park today. Photo/File

Central Districts Stags cricket captain Kieran Noema-Barnett has always been known for his relaxed approach to the game.

So it came as no surprise when the Hawke's Bay and Taradale allrounder warned against the need to panic as his troops approached today's start to the Plunket Shield four-dayer against fellow bottom-of-the-table outfit Auckland Aces at Napier's Nelson Park.

"If we play well there's a good chance we will win. If we look after the small things first, the result will look after itself. We have to get the little things right," Noema-Barnett explained.

The left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler makes his return after splitting the webbing between his thumb and index finger in the match against the Wellington Firebirds last month in their gut-wrenching last-ball loss in the HRV Cup Twenty20 game. Noema-Barnett, 26, proved he was ready for a return to the first class scene with a valuable contribution to Hawke's Bay's Hawke Cup win against Taranaki at Nelson Park last weekend.

"It was good to have a hit-out but this is another step up and I'm looking forward to playing again at this level," the former New Zealand under-19 representative said.

"Obviously, I can't speak for the last two outings because I wasn't there, but we have been a little bit unlucky in some games and in others we've played badly. Since I've been back, I've noticed the boys have been training really well. Everything has been put in place. We just have to make sure we stand up and be counted when the time comes, and we're out there under pressure," Noema-Barnett said.

Black Cap Doug Bracewell will also be making a return to the host side after missing selection for the Wellington test against the West Indies.

"Dougie will provide a massive boost to the side. He is an international calibre player who brings a lot to the four-day game," Noema-Barnett said of the 23-year-old right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler. "Dougie was unlucky to miss test selection. He always gives 100 per cent and I know he will love to make a statement ... just like he does every time he goes out to play," Noema-Barnett added.

Devon Hotel Central Stags leg spinner Tarun Nethula is unavailable, as he and his partner are about to welcome their first child into the world and fast bowler Andrew Mathieson is on the injured list.

There is one change to the Auckland Aces side which drew with the Stags in an Auckland-hosted rain-effected fixture earlier this month. Anaru Kitchen is unavailable with a fractured finger and has been replaced by Tim McIntosh.

Bracewell's Black Caps teammate Martin Guptill was devastating with the bat scoring 79 in his last outing against the Stags. The Stags bowlers will have to be more accurate and economical against him and the likes of Jeet Raval if their are going to make a climb up the points table.

There's no place like home turf to begin that climb.

Other Plunket Shield fixtures beginning today will see the Canterbury Wizards up against the SkyCity Northern Knights in Christchurch and the Otago Volts taking on the Wellington Firebirds in Invercargill.