Otago Country will be looking to flush the memory of a heavy
defeat to Southland in its opening Hawke Cup match with a win
over North Otago at Molyneux Park this weekend.
A confidence boost for the side heading into the match is the
fact that North Otago also suffered a heavy defeat in its
first match, losing to South Canterbury by 10 wickets.
Country manager Mark Patterson said North Otago could be "a
bit hot and cold. They play really well but can lack a bit of
consistency".
However, Patterson was wary of what North Otago was capable
of going on the performances of past seasons.
"North Otago tends to have a few key players that are quite
dangerous and we certainly don't feel comfortable coming up
against them. Essentially we need to get maximum points from
this game to get ourselves in with a chance."
After poor batting against Southland, Country has made some
changes to the line-up, including bringing in top-order
batsman Jonathan Homer, from Albion, who was unavailable for
the last match, and rising cricket and rugby star Michael
Collins, from Queenstown.
Former South Canterbury spinner Blair Brown has also been
bought into the attack, with Patterson saying he will add a
variety.
Those to miss out from the last match are Sam Blakely, who is
away trialling for the New Zealand under-19 side, and
Queenstown left-arm medium-pacer Sean Windle.
North Otago has made three changes to the lineup which lost
outright to South Canterbury in December. Ben Cant returns to
open the innings and add bite to the bowling attack.
Wicketkeeper Scott Simpson will bat at four and give added
depth to the batting, while veteran all-rounder Glynn Cameron
returns and will bat at seven.
Gone from the team that lost to South Canterbury are opener
Chris Cunningham, Sean Eathorne and Darcy Hooper-Smith.
The bowling attack will be led by left-armers David Sewell
and Chris Ware, with Cant and Tim McCormick medium-pace
change bowlers and captain Stephan Grobler, Jordan Horrell
and Cameron providing spin.
North Otago's aim will be to improve its batting. Chasing
South Canterbury's first innings total of 227, North Otago
was dismissed for 96 in reply, with only three batsmen
reaching double figures.
Forced to follow on, North Otago was all out for 142, leaving
South Canterbury leaving to score 12 runs for maximum points.
The bowling statistics produced hope, with Sewell taking four
for 59 off 30 overs, 11 of which were maidens, while change
bowler McCormick claimed four for 62 off 16.1 overs.
Ware's figures of none for 46 off 12 overs, five of which
were maidens, belied his impact on the game.
Hawke Cup cricket
Alexandra, today and tomorrow
Otago Country: Brendan Domigan (captain), Scott
Paulin, Jonathan Homer, James Pyle, Jarred Andrew, Cameron
Rutherford, Fraser Wilson, Michael Collins, Ben Purvis, Sean
Moran, Blair Brown, Kieran Parker.
North Otago: Stephan Grobler (captain), Ben Cant,
Jeremiah Shields, Scott Simpson, Duncan Drew, Tim O'Malley,
Glynn Cameron, Jordan Horrell, Tim McCormick, David Sewell,
Chris Ware, Anthony Sewell (12th man).
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