Wanganui get dress rehearsal for season

STUMPS IN: Mark Fraser will captain Wanganui in the first game of the season today. PHOTO/FILE A-131214WCBRCCRI04

The first Active Physio Cricket Wanganui team for season 2015-16 will get a full dress rehearsal today at City College against the Naenae Old Boys Cricket Club from Wellington.

Under new coaching staff Stu Gillespie and Dilan Raj, the individual members of the team have managed to get in training sessions in Wanganui and in Hamilton and Christchurch, working indoors on their programmes.

However, Brett Cameron, Todd Inness, Matthew Boswell and Chris Sharrock are still away at university and unavailable, as are locally-based bowlers Ryan Slight and Ross Kinnerley due to other commitments.

The team will be captained today by Mark Fraser, although this is likely to be a one-off so the veteran can focus on his batting after breaking into the Central Districts A team for Twenty20 games last summer.

"Ben Smith will bat in the top order and Travis Bartels returns from Hamilton to show his intentions as one of the main bowlers," said Raj.

"Young Collegiate student and United Premier 1 player, Matthew Simes gets an opportunity to test himself at this level and add to his growing experience by having the opportunity to bat with the likes of Fraser and Smith."

Raj said the local players trained at the Manawatu Indoor Centre on Sunday and Wanganui City College on Wednesday.

"Chris Sharrock, Nick Harding and Hamish Harding, all based in Palmerston North, have shown their commitment by travelling over for the first mid-week practice in Wanganui.

"The squad is starting to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses - the success of the season ahead will depend on how quickly the final 12 play as a team and have the honour of representing Wanganui."

Wanganui has a second warm-up fixture next week against Wellington City.

The games serve as an important prelude to the Chapple Cup tournament this month, with Wanganui drawing Hawke's Bay first up - a team boasting eight CD Stags players and three Black Caps.

"This weekend also sees the official introduction of Wanganui umpires Cliff Tootell and Martin Inness," said Raj.

"Seven umpires have committed to umpiring local club cricket this season and this is a huge step in advancing local cricket."

Today's match starts at 12pm.

The Wanganui team is:

Mark Fraser (Marist), Ben Smith (Marist), Dom Lock (Tech), John McIlraith (Marist), Matthew Simes (United), Josh Trillo (Saracens), Scott Oliver (Saracens), Hamish Harding (Saracens), Nick Harding (Tech), Bryant Galpin (Saracens), Sam O'Leary (Marist), Travis Bartels (Tech).