A new-look Wairarapa senior men's cricket squad will take on Manawatu in a Tararua Shield limited-overs match at Wairarapa College on Sunday.
Only two members of the current line-up, skipper Henry Cameron and Tim Lucas, were regulars in last season's team, which earned themselves a Hawke Cup challenge.
No longerhaving players of the calibre of Greg Todd, Seth Rance, Jamie Holmes, Matthew Stringfellow and Dean van Deventer on hand posed big problems for selectors Sam Curtis and Brian James.
Therefore form and enthusiasm shown in pre-season practice sessions, which got under way in early August, were vital in the selection process.
Typically, however, Curtis isn't about to make excuses for his side, saying those chosen had to back themselves to be competitive no matter what the odds.
And providing they had the necessary self-belief he was confident they had the skills to make a bold showing.
Lucas and Alex Treseder seem likely to open the Wairarapa innings with Cameron at three, followed by Joe Hull, Harry Clinton-Baker and Gordon Reisima. Then would probably come the all-rounders George Deans and Jared Watt, wicketkeeper Matthew McKenzie and the bowlers Sean Jarvis, Nash Patel and Stefan Hook.
Tomorrow will see the start of matches in the Wairarapa Cricket Association's Umpires Cup limited-overs competition.
Two of the games, Lansdowne v Wairarapa College and Red Star v Marist Old Boys, are to be played on the artificial turf at Rathkeale College while Kuranui Old Boys and Greytown will do battle at Park Sports No 1.
Kuranui Old Boys, who are being sponsored by A1 Homes, are making their debut appearance in senior club cricket, and with proven performers such as Sam Curtis and Hayden Spierling to call on, alongside rep spinner Nash Patel, a returning old hand in Sanjay Patel and up-and-comers Darren Dingle, Jayden Carter, Nathan Kapene, Darin Towgood, Tony Russo, Walter Barber, Tom Locke, Rob Drinnan and the Glengarry brothers, Max and Alex, they should give a strong account of themselves.
