Under-strength side use cup clash for fine-tuning

Ben Smith resumes his position as Wanganui captain today. PHOTO/FILE

It is not the full strength or match-fit team he would have liked to have taken to Napier but new Active Physio Wanganui player-coach Dominic Rayner is searching for early signs of promise during this Chapple Cup tournament weekend.

Wanganui face Manawatu in their first 50-over game today with three players on debut, coming in with just a week-day training session after last Saturday's opening round of the Premier 1 club season was rained off.

It means only Central District's contracted player and captain Ben Smith has been actively playing, while New Zealand Under-19 players Henry Collier and Nick Blundell have been training since their July tour to Australia.

However, Rayner held little hope of Blundell passing a fitness test late yesterday afternoon due to a side strain.

Of the other non-starters, veteran batsman Mark Fraser has studies for his chartered accountancy degree, Travis Bartels has yet to return from university, and Max Carroll requires eye treatment.

Another issue, which Rayner called a "touchy subject", is the unavailablity of Charlie Robson and Morgan Inness.

"Collegiate boys chose a school game instead. It's a bit of a shame the Collegiate guys couldn't play because it would be a good tournament for them."

The door is open for Bayer Marist's Sam O'Leary to join the pace attack, where St Johns Tech's English import Paul O'Callaghan must also step up immediately.

Wanganui rely heavily on Smith and Collier and Rayner said the skipper would probably share wicketkeeping with Bryce Grant the Manawatu newcomer at Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens.

"It just depends on what we need at the time, because Ben may have to bowl."

Collier and Dominic Lock provide the spin options.

"We could bowl teams out if these pitches have grass on them, but we're just a bit weak in the middle order," said Rayner.

"I've basically said to the boys to use these three games to set themselves for the season."

For a number of the youth brigade, led by Brett Cameron, it is important to impress as the Central District age-grade coaches and Stags hierarchy will be present.

After today's match, Wanganui are likely to face either Waiarapa, Nelson or Marlborough tomorrow, before their final game on Sunday.

The top four will go after the Chapple Cup, while the bottom four will contest the Caze Cup.

All the scoreboards should be updated live online at CricHQ.com.

"It should definitely be there for this weekend because it's being run by the CricHQ people, who will be there," said Rayner.

With the representative players away, this weekend will see the first round of the Twenty20 competition, combining the local teams from Premier 1 and Premier 2.

Wanganui

Ben Smith (CHB), John Mcilraith (Marist), Henry Collier (Saracens), Brett Cameron (Marist), Bryce Grant (Saracens), Fraser Kinnerly (Marist), Dominic Rayner (Saracens), Dominic Lock (Tech), Sam O'Leary (Marist), Paul O'Callaghan (Tech), Trent Hemi (Tech). If fit Nick Blundell.