Wairarapa senior men's cricket selector Dick Kendall was delighted with the attitude of the players at the first representative training session of the 2005-06 season in Masterton this week.
Kendall is determined that no matter what results Wairarapa achieve in their five two-day games they will lack nothing on the score
of endeavour and he sees a strong team spirit as being paramount in that regard.
"The players have been told exactly what we expect of them and the response we've got has been very positive," he said. " "It's all about 100 per cent commitment and everybody working for the good of the whole team and it's a message which has been well received."
Kendall anticipates naming his squad for the first representative match in about a fortnight's time and says club form between now and then will count for plenty in the selection process.
"If any player is relying on their reputation to get them in the side then they had better think again," he said.
No decision has yet been made on who will captain Wairarapa this season with Kendall saying he will be seeking the views of players on that subject.
"Obviously I will have the final say but it is important that the players themselves are happy with who is in charge," he said.
Two obvious contenders for the captaincy role are players who have done the job for Wairarapa before, John Peters and Ngatai Walker.
Peters, a former Wairarapa College student who plays his club cricket in Wellington, is currently in the United Kingdom but is expected home on November 11 and has already indicated to Kendall that he will be available for Wairarapa selection again.
