Injury blow robs Wanganui

FINGERED: Central Stags batsman Ben Smith will miss Active Physio Wanganui's first Chapple Cup match-up against Hawke's Bay in Napier tomorrow after being sidelined with a broken finger. PHOTO/FILE

The Active Physio Cricket Wanganui selectors have been dealt a huge blow with the unavailability of key batsman Ben Smith ahead of the first Chapple Cup match in Napier tomorrow.

Central Stag player Smith broke his finger in his 117 not out knock against Wellington and is out for three weeks.

Tom Lance is another suffering an injury, but his is more severe and will be sidelined till the new year. Both will be sorely missed but does give the next generation of Wanganui batters a chance to show their mettle to the Stags selectors over the tournament.

The injuries will test comeback coach Stu Gillespie. Gillespie has not been Wanganui rep coach for the past four years.

However, he will be helped by Mark Fraser leading the side in the one day format. The experience of Fraser and senior player Dom Rayner (13th Chapple Cup) will be crucial in leading the young team and bettering their last year's 8th place.

United's Greg Smith will be making his debut for Wanganui, while Todd Inness, Matthew Boswell, Ross Kinnerley and Brett Cameron and also unavailable.

The Chapple Cup is the pinnacle 50-over tournament for the Central District Associations and kicks off at Napier's Nelson Park from 10.30am tomorrow.

The team:

Travis Bartels (St Johns Tech)

Mark Fraser (Captain) (Bayer Marist)

Nick Harding (St Johns Tech)

Hamish Harding (Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens)

Morgan Inness (V. Capt) (Bayer Marist)

John McIlraith (Bayer Marist)

Dominic Lock (St Johns Tech)

Sam O'Leary (Bayer Marist)

Dominic Rayner (Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens)

Chris Sharrock (Property Brokers United)

Ryan Slight (Property Brokers United)

Greg Smith (Property Brokers United)

Coach: Stu Gillespie

Manager: Justin Lock

The Chapple Cup draw is:

Hawkes Bay v Wanganui - Nelson Park # 1

Manawatu v Marlborough - Nelson Park # 2

Taranaki v Horowhenua-Kapiti - Nelson Park # 5

Nelson v Wairarapa - Nelson Park # 3