No team will attract more interest when the senior inter-club cricket season gets under way in Wairarapa on Sunday than the Bracewell Academy XI.
As the name suggests the side will be representing the cricketing academy established at Rathkeale College by former New Zealand pace bowler Brendan Bracewell and it is
likely to include a number of talented young players from overseas.
They will start their campaign in the 20-20 tournament arranged for Sunday with a match against the Rathkeale College first XI at Park Sports No 1.
This game should give a good indication of both team's chances when the competition season proper begins with a round of Umpires Cup games on October 16.
In other first round 20-20 games, which allow for both teams to bat for 20 overs, Greytown will play Red Star on the Makoura artifical wicket while Lansdowne will meet Wairarapa College on the artificial surface at Park Sports No.3.
On the representative scene Wairarapa will have a new captain for the 2004-05 season with incumbent Greg Todd now contracted to the Otago association.
Todd leaves big boots to fill as not only had he developed into a strong leader but he was a very useful performer with both the bat and the ball.
Wairarapa will play their first match in the Hawke Cup elimination series on December 4 and 5 when they will be at home to Hawke's Bay.
They will also play Marlborough in Masterton on December 11 and 12 and then will be away to Manawatu on January 22 and 23 and to Wanganui on January 29 and 30. Then will come another home game against Horowhenua-Kapiti on February 5 and 6.
The highlight of the local season, however, will be on Tuesday, February 1 when the State Shield one-day match between Central Districts and Northern Districts will be played on Queen Elizabeth Park oval in Masterton.
