Retirement, new signings and injury means the State Northern Knights cricket team - who begin their campaign in the four-day competition against Auckland in Hamilton today - has a new look this season.
Particular interest will focus on Daryl Tuffey easing his way back to top-level cricket after returning from England
with an injury to his right knee.
While Tuffey had some pre-season matches at Lincoln with the Academy side he has only been bowling at around 80 percent.
"The knee is feeling good and this match will allow me to give it a truer test both bowling and in the outfield," he said.
With the slow recovery of the shoulder injury suffered by spinner Bruce Martin during the NZ A tour to South Africa in September, the spin attack will rest with Jaden Hatwell of Hamilton.
It is hoped Martin may play during the one-day State Shield competition starting later in December. New signing Lorne Howell makes his first appearance for ND against his old teammates from Auckland.
Howell should add some real experience to the batting line-up while their experiences at the NZ Cricket Academy during the off-season plus some pre-season form during the warm-up games with the Academy sees the inclusion of Te Ahu Davis and BJ Watling, both of Hamilton. Watling will wicketkeep and, with some exceptional batting performances for the Academy side, add depth to the batting line-up.
Also to receive the converted Northern Districts baggy cap for his first first-class appearance for the Association is Ryan Shutte. All-rounder Shutte a medium pace, left-hand bat plays in Hamilton having moved to New Zealand from South Africa 18 months ago.
The State Championship match at Westpac Park, Hamilton, was to start today at 11am.
Northern Districts second four-day match begins next Monday against Central Districts in Napier while they play Sri Lanka in a one-day match in Hamilton on December 23 before launching into the State Shield one-day games in the New Year.
The team is James Marshall captain, (Northland), Joseph Yovich (Northland), Graeme Aldridge (Bay of Plenty), Te Ahu Davis (Hamilton), Matthew Hart (Bay of Plenty), Jaden Hatwell (Hamilton), Nick Horsley (Hamilton), Llorne Howell (Bay of Plenty), Mark Orchard (Hamilton), Grant Robinson (Hamilton), Ryan Shutte (Hamilton), Daryl Tuffey (Counties Manukau), B.J Watling (Hamilton).
