Battle for cricket's Furlong Cup begins

The Taranaki Men’s representative cricket side travels to Masterton to take on its Wairarapa counterpart in round one of the Furlong Cup over the weekend (November 7 and 8).
The Taranaki selectors have had to deal with a couple of early-season injuries with NPOB opening batsman Josh Borrell and NPMU spinner Michael Blanks missing from the side.
Icons Sports Bar Mattie Thomas will once again captain the team, which looks to have vast talent and experience mixed with a sprinkle of youth. The youth brigade consists of “India Today” Ben Frewin, a former NPBHS student who is returning to representative cricket after he missed last season with a back injury that did not allow him to bowl. Sebastian Lauderdale-Smith is set to make his debut in the place of Borrell and will open the innings with prolific run-scorer “Taranaki Associated Cleaners” Dean Robinson. Lauderdale-Smith has earnt his selection through his consistent performances for NPBHS and CD U19’s.
The rest of the top order will see “Eltham Vet Group” Liam Muggeridge come in at three followed by Woodleigh’s Shaun Sullivan.
“Energy City Ford” Ryan Watson will take the new ball with Hawera’s Ethan Keller, Keller was the leading wicket-taker for Taranaki last season and the pair could prove to be a lethal combination for the side this season. The bowling unit will also look to have a youthful look about it with Frewin and NPMU’s Shay Smith set to take over from the new ball bowlers. NPOB’s Davis Mills will be the fifth seamer with captain Mattie Thomas providing the spinning option. Woodleigh’s Phil Barraclough will take the gloves.
This coming season will be the 50th season for long-time scorer Thelma Luxton. The service Thelma has provided to the team over the years has been invaluable.
The game is set to commence at 10:30am at QE 11 Oval in Masterton.
The full team is:

Dean Robinson, Sebastian Lauderdale-Smith, Liam Muggeridge, Shaun Sullivan, Davis Mills, Adam Keene, Mattie Thomas, Ben Frewin, Ryan Watson, Phil Barraclough, Shay Smith, Ethan Keller.