Cricket: Coaches delighted with battle for spots

Recent Northern Knights' signee Nick Kelly makes his crease just as wicketkeeper Peter Bocock prepares to knock the bails off during a Northern Districts trial match at Cobham Oval. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Northern Districts hopefuls have been pitching their aspirations for higher honours in front of selectors at Cobham Oval this week.

In the mix, Northland's Ben Hyde, Tyler Lortan, Cody Andrews, Brad Kneebone, Dave Armitt, Cam Johnson and Rory Christopherson have been making the most of the trial fixture on home soil.

Coined the Aldridge XI v Cunis XI match, after Northern Districts coaches Graeme Aldridge and Stephen Cunis, the two-day fixture saw players battle it out on an ideal Cobham Oval surface.

"It's been a bloody good two days, it's been excellent," Cunis said.

"There's been some good performances, that's for sure.

'We asked for a wicket that would turn a bit, so Nathan the groundsman prepared it exactly how we wanted, he's done a good job.

"There's a good mixture of people here to have a look at and I'm pretty confident that we'll get a good three-day team out of this."

Of the notable performances across the two days, Cunis mentioned Joe Walker's 8-69 on day one was a special piece of bowling.

"The next game for NDA is a couple of weeks away, and there'll be a couple of these boys looking to play for the Knights next game.

"Obviously Joe getting eight [wickets] puts his hand up, Jono Boult's putting his best foot forward, and then you've got Peter Bocock who's a batsman for the Alridge XI... he got 96 yesterday playing beautifully. The other one is Rory Christopherson... he's playing well and kept like an absolute dream."