Cricket: Taranaki primed for fifth defence

Ian Snook

Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki head coach Chris Coombe has been able to name a strong playing XI for the next Hawke Cup defence against Bay of Plenty, beginning on Friday at Pukekura Park.

Centurion Mattie Thomas and experienced quickie Ryan Watson, both return to the playing field, having missed the previous defence against Hawkes Bay.

Bay of Plenty are the Zone One winners which indicates there is plenty of power in their squad, competing and winning against other strong provinces Northland, Counties-Manukau, Hamilton, Poverty Bay and Waikato Valley.

They were a clear 15 points ahead both Hamilton and Counties-Manukau in the final wind-up, a fair indication that they will be arriving full of confidence and an expectation that they will take the cup with them when they drive home on Sunday.

The names aren’t household, but it doesn’t take first class players to win the cup – it requires desire and purpose.

With former NZ Under 19 captain Oli White, and including the likes of Northern Districts rep Bharat Popli and veteran Peter Drysdale, their results suggest they have these qualities.

Drysdale is only the third player to notch up a century of games for Bay of Plenty, whilst only last season a young Reuben Carter scored a double hundred for Tauranga Boys College in the Super 8 comp in New Plymouth.

This is a team with plenty of intent and a mix of aggression and patience, well suited to the Hawke Cup scene.

Having just come off a blockbuster victory against the first-class laden Hawkes Bay, Taranaki now needs to settle into their rhythm once again and turn in another high energy, totally focused, resolute performance.

They know what it takes.

Having Watson back in the line-up, feeling fresh and energized, will be a huge boost for the locals.

Already sitting in fourth place on the all-time wicket takers with 202 wickets, a skip in his step and a smile on his face has returned in the last week, as he has been cleared to play.

If the bowling rhythm returns as well, the big quick will be a handful for any batsmen.

In typical Taranaki fashion, following in the footsteps of local legends Alistar Jordan and Gary Robertson, his absolute and fierce determination gives the side a lot of confidence.

Freakish Ben Frewin was one of the big performers in the Hawkes Bay game, bowling 30 overs and taking eight wickets, proving his unique abilities once again, and together with Watson, will provide a quality opening attack.

Of course, they need to be at their best when it comes to a Hawke Cup defence.

The relentless Jordy Gard will follow up these two with his unerring accuracy and clever variations.

There were 38 overs at maximum velocity against Hawkes Bay, a key to the overall success of the attack.

With 23 wickets this season he is at the head of the table, with one more than Frewin and three more than the little magician, left-arm spinner, Liam Carr.

Carr has progressed from a young talented spinner who would prove troublesome on a turning track, to a full-blooded anytime bowler, bowling to suit the conditions and proving hard to get away on batting surfaces.

Tough Hawke Cup games will be the making of him.

Mattie Thomas has been in good bowling form this season, bagging ten wickets at under 20, to add to his previous 173, another bowler on his way to 200.

His art includes accuracy and clever variations and he is a bowler that skipper Gard can turn to in any situation. He will do the job no matter what the conditions.

Short of stature but big of heart, Davis Mills cleverly delivered 140 balls in the last defence, at a miserly 2.70 an over, in Dennis Yardley type fashion.

With the same skill and determination as his batting, another Yardley trait, Mills is made in the mould of a true Hawke Cup player, expecting plenty from himself and staying in the fight as long as it goes on.

Trent McGrath returned to the team for the last game and took up where he left off the previous season, by scoring a competently compiled 68 not out, full of wristy shots and clever placements.

With a smile, a bit of a shuffle, and arms and wrists doing the rest, McGrath can compete with the best of them.

A veteran campaigner and deep thinker, he is also capable of grabbing the odd wicket, just needing a decent bowl to get back into some form.

On the top of his game, already with a huge 196 in the Furlong Cup and a very classy 130 against Hawkes Bay, sitting on a season average of 66.44 having scored 465 runs in only five games, opening batsman Josh Borrell has been leading from the front.

He now needs to take that confidence into yet another game and prove that he is fast becoming one of the best Taranaki players in 130 years.

With four centuries to his credit, he has already passed a whole host of batsmen on the Honours Board, and although unlikely to catch Dean Robinson on 16 there are plenty he can pass to make it into the top ten. And he is still a batting youngster.

Fellow opener Bailey Wisnewski has threatened all year to go really big on the scoresheet without grabbing the opportunity, after many positive starts.

A compact and attractive player, without a lot of luck to date, he will be giving it 100%, and with Borrell provides a very useful opening pair looking to build on their partnership of 47 in the previous defence.

Challenges are often put in front of players, and it is always interesting to see how they respond. Put a tick beside Liam Muggeridge.

Promoted to three in the order, seen as the most crucial batting spot, the little left-hander took to the task so well that it appeared the position had been sitting there waiting for him.

The smile returned. The confidence returned. It took Hawkes Bay 213 balls before they found the faintest of edges and Muggeridge returned to the Bellringer with 67 under his belt. It was a classy and disciplined knock and part of a partnership of 190 with Borrell.

Rupert Young was unlucky to be given out LBW last game when it only hit his bat, although the ump did apologise later. (Which I think gives me the right to mention it). He was looking settled after 90 balls and on 29, but cricket is full of anomalies. It is one of the things that keeps everyone interested.

With a big century under his belt this season and an average of 43, Young will be keen to get in the middle and improve on those performances.

A truly quality player, his batting and keeping have maintained a very high standard since returning to the province.

Jacob Leuthard-Richards is the dark horse in the batting lineup.

With only a few opportunities so far this season he is still managing a credible batting average of 32.50, and he will be eager to show his potential when the chance arrives.

A physically strong player with a good eye, just slightly out of the orthodox mode, his career is in the early stages as we all wait to view his undoubted abilities.

He will be ready when the time comes.

There it is.

Defence number five vs Bay of Plenty, Pukekura Park, 13-15 February, first ball 10.30am each morning.

TARANAKI

Jordan Gard ©, Ryan Watson (VC), Josh Borrell, Bailey Wisnewski, Liam Muggeridge, Rupert Young (WK), Jacob Leuthard-Richards, Trent McGrath, Davis Mills, Mattie Thomas, Ben Frewin, Liam Carr.