Fresh faces in Wanganui squad

Visa delays have ruled Canadian import Akash Gill (left) out of Chapple Cup duties in Napier today, while Connor O'Leary is one of five newcomers to the Treadwell Gordon squad.

The Treadwell Gordon Wanganui men's cricket side takes on a fresh look as it makes its season debut in the Chapple Cup in Napier on Friday.

With old hands Craig Clare, Nick Harding and Canadian import Akash Gill not padding up, selectors will take the opportunity to blood new players at representative level.

Clare is out after a head knock during rugby duties last week, while Harding is in the starting line-up in Steelform Wanganui's must win Heartland rugby clash with North Otago at Cooks Gardens tomorrow.

Gill, who has been back home playing club cricket and preparing for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in January as the Canadian captain, has not had his visa renewed in time.

Wanganui team manager Justin Lock said Gill had told him by phone he had been informed his visa would not be granted this week.

While the unavailable list numbered three, selectors have added five new players to the 13-strong Warren Marr-coached squad.

Wanganui Collegiate players Angus Dinwiddie, Connor O'Leary, wicketkeeper Matt Simes and Tre Bidois and Thomas Walshe from Palmerston North Boys High have been named in the squad to take on Manawatu in Napier on Friday.

"We will obviously miss Craig, Nick and Akash who are all genuine players with much to offer, the intention was always to blood these new young guys, they have all earned their spots in the squad," Lock said.

"We will be competitive and while it is our first outing as a representative team, everyone else is in the same boat. The weather has been nasty this week in Hawkes Bay and it will be a damp track, but the forecast is good for the weekend - again everyone is in the same boat.

"Manawatu will be tough as one of the top few teams, but we'll be giving it our best over the three day tournament," Lock said.

The squad is: Ben Smith, Thomas Walshe, Greg Smith, John McIlraith, Mark Fraser, Simon Badger (C), Bryce Grant, Matt Simes, Trey Bidois, Ross Kinnerley, Connor O'Leary, Angus Dinwiddie, Chris Stewart.