Boost for women's cricket in region

The rejuvenation of two Wairarapa age group teams should be a boost for women's cricket in the region.

At least that's the hope of Irish international Eimear Richardson, joint selector-coach of the under-15 and under-18 sides along with Central Hinds star Esther Lanser, who plays her international cricket for the Netherlands.

"We want to breathe new life and fresh talent into women's cricket here, and getting these teams up and running is a good start," Richardson said this week before heading off to Bangladesh to represent Ireland in a World Cup qualifying tournament.

Richardson is optimistic that re-establishing the two age group teams could lead to Wairarapa again being able to field a senior women's representative side, as early as the 2012-13 season.

Plans are for the Wairarapa under-18s to play against Manawatu and Wanganui, and for the under-15s to contest a Central Districts regional tournament in Palmerston North from December 13 to 15.

Wairarapa had to withdraw from the latter tourney last year because of a shortage of players but Richardson said 16 players had attended the first open practice session on November 3 and she and Lanser - both fulltime cricketers - were hoping for even greater numbers at the next session at the Masterton Indoor Cricket Centre on November 30.

Meanwhile, the one innings format will be in vogue when matches in the Wairarapa senior men's Bidwell Cup interclub series continue tomorrow.

Top of the table Red Star will be up against Turkey Red Greytown while the two colleges, Rathkeale and Wairarapa, will do battle at Rathkeale Oval.

Greytown may fancy their chances of beating Red Star, who could be missing Greg Todd. The southerners will be looking to Paul Lyttle, Mark Childs and Tim Lucas to fire with the bat.