Clare to become double representative

Wanganui rugby rep Craig Claire has been named in the Wanganui cricket side for this weekend's clash with Manawatu.

A professional rugby player and a school boy are due to make their rep cricket debuts when Active Physio Wanganui host Manawatu in a two-day match this weekend.

Craig Clare will become a double Wanganui representative when he takes to the Tasman Tanning no.1 pitch at Victoria Park this Saturday.

The batsmen, who is also a key part of the Heartland Championship winning Wanganui rugby team, comes into the cricket side after at just a handful of games for Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens in club cricket.

Wanganui coach Warren Marr coached Clare back when he was in the Central District's under-17 side and was confident of his ability.

"It's a bit like riding a bike," Marr said. "I know he was a good player as a 17-year-old."

Meanwhile, Palmerston North Boys High opening bat Thomas Walshe has also been called in, though the Hunterville teenager will bat down the order for the rep side.

Walshe was part of Wanganui's pre-season squad and has previously represented Central Districts at age-group level.

The pair come in for Dom Rayner and canadian import Akash Gill. Gill is away with the Central Districts under-17 side.

Wanganui will want to build on an encouraging start to their Hawke Cup campaign.

After coming close to upsetting Taranaki on first innings points in the season opener, Wanganui dominated Wairarapa at home only to be halted by the weather while they managed to bat time in a loss to a quality Hawkes Bay side in Napier just before Christmas.

In Manawatu they will be up against a team determined for an outright win to resurrect a rain-affected season.

Marr said the focus for Wanganui was on batting time, 80-plus overs, and getting a 300-plus score.

"I think the conditions up there are pretty much bat first and back yourself," he said.

"We know we can bowl and field. They key for us is definitely scoring runs and that's about partnerships.

"We know Manawatu will come really hard at us because they've been screwed by the rain. They'll be looking for outright points that's for sure."

Active Physio Wanganui vs Manawatu
Tasman Tanning No. 1, Victoria Park
January 14-15, 11am