Cricket: International flavour to Cobham Oval fixtures

Northland cricket fans can check out Black Cap Ish Sodhi in action at Cobham Oval. He is part of the Northern Districts side facing Otago. Photo/Photosport.nz

Northland cricket fans are in luck as a host of current international cricketers are playing in the Ford Trophy clash between Northern Districts and Otago at Cobham Oval today.

Northern Districts will field Black Caps Corey Anderson, Ish Sodhi and Dean Brownlie, while Otago have named Jimmy Neesham and Neil Broom as both sides look to reverse their poor form so far.

Northern Districts are sitting fourth on the ladder after a sluggish start saw them losing two of their first three matches, but will be wanting to give their campaign a shot in the arm with a win over Otago.

Otago are at the foot of the ladder with no wins to date in this competition.

The match starts at 11am at Cobham Oval, with entry free for any supporters.

Northern Districts were thumped by Auckland in a 161-run drubbing, but turned their fortunes to defeat Canterbury by a convincing nine wickets.

Their latest match saw them go down by two wickets in a rain-affected match against Central Districts.

Northland will have representation in the first match, with Brett Randell named in the 12-man squad for their match at the Whangarei ground.

Randell has had a good start to his A List career after taking five wickets in his first two games, including a four wicket haul against Canterbury.

Anderson is named in the squad after missing the last game.

Otago have named former Northland cricketer Brad Wilson in their side.

In between their match against Otago today and a clash with Wellington on Saturday, the Northern Districts squad is running a 'Train with the Knights' session on Friday afternoon.

The Northern Districts cricket team will be holding a skills and games extravaganza for junior cricket fans and players from 4pm to 5.30pm at Cobham Oval.

Skills and games will be facilitated by the Northern Districts players and a prize giving will be held at the conclusion of the session.

The session is free to anyone between the ages five and 16.

Players are expected to bring appropriate clothing for physical activity and a labelled drink bottle.

All other equipment will be provided by the Northland and Northern Districts cricket associations.

Northern Districts: Dean Brownlie (c), Corey Anderson, Jono Boult, Zack Gibson, Brett Hampton, Nick Kelly, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Bharat Popli, Brett Randell, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

Otago: Jimmy Neesham (c), Gregor Croudis, Michael Rippon, Brad Wilson, Neil Broom, Ryan Duffy, Michael Bracewell, Anaru Kitchen, Derek de Boorder, Christi Viljoen, Nathan Smith, Jack Hunter.