Joey Yovich could be the key to success for Northland, as they ready themselves for their final representative fixture of the season against Counties Manakau tomorrow.
Yovich, who has been struggling with a thumb injury, made himself available for the game and coach Ewen Thompson said he would make an impact
in the important two-day match.
"He's the consummate professional and just to have one of our marquee players back this weekend should make a real difference," he said.
The other feature is the return of Kaipara Flats pace bowler Kevin Forde after a successful elbow operation.
Thompson has found his first season in charge something of a struggle with the Northland side not living up to its potential.
"From my point of view it's been a disappointing season because I don't think we've learned from our mistakes and that's the key to anything in life," he said.
The team has been there or thereabouts but apart from a 100-run loss at Hamilton, Thompson said the team has still managed to be very competitive - without being very successful.
"We haven't had a bad loss in the entire campaign, our fielding and bowling has been outstanding but we have too much of a sense of panic about us with the bat," he said.
With Yovich returning at number-five, the batting will be stronger and Thompson is excited that young players like Ben Hyde and Henry Cooper were improving and would be a feature of the team for years to come.
"The team needs to go one step further forward, though, and show they can really compete at this level."
He said Northland had already underestimated Counties once already this season and the trip to Weymouth Park won't be easy.
"I don't think we've really given enough credit to the way some districts have developed - Counties have traditionally been weak but they've played the best one-day cricket in the competition this year," Thompson said.
Bellahomes Northland team is: Rhys Farrand (Kamo), Ian Page (City), Ben Williams (WBHS), Henry Cooper (WBHS), Joey Yovich (City), Brett Hood (Kaipara), Chris Page (City), Ben Hyde (WBHS), Jake Phillips (Kaipara), Rory Darkins (City), Kevin Forde (Kaipara), Tom Herman (WBHS).
