Wanganui eye chance for win

Mark Fraser will shore up Wanganui's batting line-up against Wairarapa tomorrow. PHOTO/FILE

A more settled line-up, a new captain and an artificial pitch to counteract the expected wet weather has Active Physio Wanganui pulling out all the stops to give themselves a shot at a Hawke Cup campaign victory this summer.

After the innings hammering by Taranaki in New Plymouth last weekend, Wanganui will tomorrow host a Wairarapa team likely to be in more dire straits than they are after two hard losses in consecutive weekends.

The visitors were also beaten by an innings by Hawkes Bay in their opening Hawke Cup Zone 2 match a fortnight ago, but that was dwarfed by their 294-run slaughter last Sunday in a 50-over game against Hutt Valley.

After conceeding 405-7, Wairarapa were bowled out for 111.

Wanganui will also remember their only success in last year's Hawke Cup was against Wairarapa in Masterton.

When taking a 9- run first innings lead into the second day, Wanganui had the home side in trouble at 30-3 with 30 overs left, but they managed to bat out to 72-5 by stumps.

"That's why we changed to artificial because we want to play them - definitely get on the field if we can," said coach Dominic Rayner. Because of the likelihood of heavy rain, the Central associations had agreed to use artificial wickets in Wanganui and in Taranaki to give teams as much chance at two day's play as possible.

"It will be City College, whether or not the outfield is up to scratch, that's a decision we're going to make at lunchtime [today]."

As expected, there have been a number of changes to the side which collapsed twice against Taranaki, although injury played a role.

After two failed scores in New Plymouth, John Mcilraith leaves the middle order, while seamer Paul O'Callaghan (injured side) and opening batsman Morgan Inness (minor surgery on nose) are unavailable.

Paceman Fraser Kinnerely continues to have no luck after rolling his ankle at Wednesday training.

Veteran Mark Fraser and opener Max Carroll regain their positions in the side, while Dan Gordon gets his opportunity after some solid club play.

The big news is the elevation of former Manawatu representative Bryce Grant to the captaincy, having joined Wanganui cricket from the Palmerston North's Old Boys Club just this season.

Rayner, who led the team against Taranaki, said the 27-year-old Grant had been a Central Districts Under 19 skipper and now had enough games under this belt with this team to take over the mantle.

It also meant players could feel comfortable discussing things with Grant in confidence so Rayner could wear his other hat as their coach and selector.

"It's better for me to have [Grant as] a neutral voice in the team. It's just another voice of reason."

Fraser coming into the middle order adds some depth to the brittle line-up and Rayner said at this stage Wanganui were probably leaning towards batting first tomorrow, especially if the ground is damp.

The match will begin at 10.30am, weather permitting.