Central Districts look to reclaim under-15 national cricket title

Central Districts opening bowler Flora Devonshire in action against Northern Districts at the start of the Cricket Express National Under 15 tournament at Victoria Park on Monday.

The Central District's Under 15 squad has set out on their task to regain the Cricket Express National title which went to Auckland last year as the Festival of Cricket continued at Victoria Park on Monday.

Central Districts were the 2016 champions, but were beaten in the final last year by Auckland.

This year's Under 15 tournament has seen the return of a full Canterbury squad, meaning all six districts are represented in the 30-over tournament.

Under coach Esther Lanser, a former Whanganui women's captain, Central Districts were able to call on a core of around 4-5 players from last year's team.

Joining the 14-player squad is local player Charlotte Stent, who plays for Whanganui Intermediate and the Wanganui Under 11 boys representative team.

As a younger player, Stent has been brought into the squad for the experience, and will get game time as a replacement fielder or in the case of injury

"It's great. It's a great team and we all get on and everyone cheers each other quite well," she said.

In their opening game against Northern Districts, Central Districts bowled them out for 105 after 27 overs at press time.

Ella Southey took 4-9 from her five overs, with Flora Devonshire, Ocean Bartlett, Lottie Fuller, Elizabeth Cohr and captain Ashtuti Kumar picking up one wicket each.

Auckland was playing Canterbury while Otago took on Wellington.

The tournament continues until the finals on Thursday.

The Central Districts team is:
Lottie Fuller, Elizabeth Cohr, Sophia Kersten, Macy Lyford, Ella Southey, Ashtuti Kumar (c), Ayesha Carley-Hendry, Ocean Bartlett, Jessie Hollard, Flora Devonshire, Olivia Clark, Zoe Yeo, Charlotte Stent.