Smith bolsters Stags

COMEBACK: Whanganui's Ben Smith returns from injury to again be named in the Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags squad.PHOTO/FILE

WHANGANUI cricketer Ben Smith has returned from injury to immediately hit his straps and again make the Devon Hotel Central Stags side for the opening two rounds of the 2015/16 Ford Trophy competition.

Smith had missed the Twenty20 games for the Stags, but returned from injury to post 81 runs for the New Zealand President's XI against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Will Young's appointment as captain and the return of Jesse Ryder are key features of the Stags side named this week.

Taranaki top order batsman Young takes the reins from the recently retired Kruger van Wyk as the Stags set out to repeat their 2014/15 success in the domestic 50-over competition.

Ryder has recovered from the side strain which has kept him out of the Stags line-up since November 5.

Hawke's Bay medium fast bowler Blair Tickner and 18-year-old Nelson all-rounder Josh Clarkson are included in the Ford Trophy squad for the first time.

The Stags are without Doug Bracewell, Adam Milne, Ross Taylor and George Worker due to their selection in the Black Caps squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and Ben Wheeler who is still recovering from a back injury. Hawke's Bay's Kurt Richards is on standby to join the squad should Seth Rance be unable to pass a fitness test after suffering a hamstring strain.