Cricket: Greats take on Maori side to boost game

Rotorua cricket fans will get the chance to see some of the greats of New Zealand cricket this weekend.

The New Zealand Cricket Players Association Masters take on a Northern Maori side in a Twenty20 match at Smallbone Park on Sunday.

Led by former Black Caps player Dion Nash, the Masters side will be looking to remain unbeaten in this season's series, which has seen the team travelling around the country promoting cricket in the regional areas.

Nash is joined by former Black Caps teammates Adam Parore, Llorne Howell and Kerry Walmsley.

"All of the guys in the Masters team are excited to be playing the Northern Maori team and playing an important part in assisting with the promotion of the game to young Maori in New Zealand," Nash said.

Walmsley told The Daily Post yesterday, that for the past five years the association had been progressively promoting cricket in low-decile schools in Rotorua, South Auckland, Waikato, Christchurch and Dunedin.

He said the Masters team would also be looking to help raise funds on the day for leukaemia patient Chace Topperwien, aged 3.

Campbell Furlong (Ngati Porou and Ngai Tahu), Craig Pryor (Ngati Awa) and Parore (Te Kuihi), are part of a select group of cricketers with Maori heritage to play at first class level in New Zealand and have been instrumental in ensuring this match continues to advance the opportunities for Maori in cricket.

Furlong is particularly excited about participating in this match and helping a new generation of Maori toward successful cricket careers.

"This is a very exciting initiative and will hopefully be an annual fixture, with there one day being an official New Zealand Maori team similar to what is already established in rugby and rugby league," Furlong said.

"Maori have been under-represented in first class and international cricket so initiatives like this are important to show there are opportunities and pathways for Maori to the highest level."

The match gets underway at 1pm on Sunday with a Rotorua versus Tauranga junior match and coaching at 10.30am. Entry to the match is free.

Masters squad: Dion Nash (captain), Adam Parore, Llorne Howell, Richard Jones, Shane Thomson, Bevan Griggs, Craig Pryor, Ronnie Hira, Campbell Furlong, Kerry Walmsley, Richard Morgan.