Underdogs big on enthusiasm

Selector-coach Mark Brown says Wairarapa won't be making any excuses if they fail to fire in their three-day Hawke Cup challenge cricket match with holders Hamilton, starting in Hamilton today.

Brown accepts that having first hand knowledge of the pitch conditions, plus the all-round strength of their side, will see Hamilton start as warm favourites but he believes those factors can be overcome

"Sure it's going to be a test of character and will but there's absolutely no reason why we shouldn't fancy our chances of pulling it off," Brown said.

"This is a huge opportunity to put Wairarapa cricket back on the map and that should be enough to bring out the best in the guys, simple as that."

Just one change has been made to the Wairarapa squad that secured the crucial first innings win over Horowhenua-Kapiti last weekend, star all-rounder Dean Van Deventer, who was unavailable for that game, replaces the young Wairarapa College medium pacer Stefan Hook.

Unfortunately the latter did not get the chance to show his bowling wares in Paraparaumu and was always most likely to miss out for the northern trip.

Brown was delighted with the enthusiasm of his players in their final training session on Wednesday night.

His delight increased when both pace bowler Seth Rance and wicketkeeper Mark Childs, who will again captain the side, did enough in the session to suggest their injury niggles were on the mend.

Rance, who has been battling a sore shoulder, didn't bowl but that was purely a precautionary measure and he took a full part in both batting and fielding sessions. What Childs will elect to do should he call correctly at the toss will be interesting but with the Hawke Cup able to be won on the first innings there will be the temptation to bat first and put the pressure on the holders from the word go.

That scenario is given more credence by the fact Hamilton have several quality spinners in their line-up and batting last against them on a wearing pitch could be difficult.

Another decision Childs and Brown will also need to make is who will fill the 12th man duties with the pitch conditions playing a big part.

The Wairarapa squad is: Jamie Holmes, Tim Lucas, Henry Cameron, Sam Curtis, Matthew Stringfellow, Dean Van Deventer, Mark Childs, Robin James, Robbie Spiers, Seth Rance, Daniel Ingham, Ben Foster.