Pace bowler Ross Kinnerley (centre) is one of three frontline players brought into the Wanganui line-up to play heavyweights Manawatu at the weekend PHOTO/FILE
Pace bowler Ross Kinnerley (centre) is one of three frontline players brought into the Wanganui line-up to play heavyweights Manawatu at the weekend PHOTO/FILE
The Active Physio Wanganui Senior men's cricket team have their first home game this weekend in their second Hawke Cup match of the year, against neighbours and heavyweights Manawatu.
"Manawatu is a cricket province that we aspire to be as good as on and off the park, and it isanother great opportunity for the young developing home team to measure itself against a benchmark team," co-coach Rod Bannister said.
"For the first time this season, we have been able to select a 12 that will be the strongest available from the wider training group, bringing in three frontline players to the starting line-up that add a good balance to the team in key areas. They include Todd Inness [wicketkeeper/batsman], and Trent Hemi and Ross Kinnerley."
Hemi and Kinnerley will add strong support to Ryan Slight, who has taken the responsibility, leading the pace attack on his own. Another welcome addition to the wider training group is Waikato-based quick bowler Trav Bartels, who is back in the city and a player Bannister will keep a close eye on over the next few weeks.
Dropped from the Hawke's Bay team are Chris Sharrock, Dan Ford and Ryan Balsley, who have been told to go back to club cricket and score centuries, spend time with the bat and take 4/5 wicket bags to keep the pressure on the players selected this weekend.
Fraser Kinnerley, who was originally selected for the Hawke's Bay match but withdrew due to an unfortunate injury, needs to get his confidence back at club level before being considered for future matches.
Ford was a late call-up for the Hawke's Bay match that added enthusiasm and a good attitude.
"A couple of our batting positions are not secure at all and I want to give three or four of the top seven every opportunity to show their worth. However, they will need to deliver for the Manawatu match," Bannister said. He has asked each player to improve 10 per cent on their individual performances against Hawke's Bay.
"We're starting to understand as a squad the expectations we have as a management team and as players, and there are some real positives unfolding, especially the competition for places and having three players in our starting 11 in the Central Districts bench training squad."
The match starts at 10.30am, at Tasman Tanning Park No1 ground.