Shayne O'Connor.
Some cricketers never really retire. That is certainly
the case for former Black Cap and Otago left-armer Shayne
O'Connor.
He dusted off his bowling boots last year when the New
Zealand Cricket Players' Association masters XI played an
Otago Country Cricket Association selection team in an
exhibition match at Molyneux Park.
O'Connor is getting ready to do it all again this summer.
The teams will match wits in a twenty/20 fixture at the venue
on January 27.
O'Connor said with Molyneux Park not on the domestic
schedule, it was a way of bringing cricket to the region.
With the likes of Mark Greatbatch, Ewen Chatfield and Roger
Twose expected to turn out for the NZCPA team, there should
be plenty of interest in the fixture.
About 300 people enjoyed the game last year and O'Connor is
hopeful of building the crowd by another couple of hundred.
Former All Black Justin Marshall has been added to list of
starters for OCCA and will add intrigue.
''I don't know what he is like [as a cricketer] but we are
about to find out,'' O'Connor said.
''I imagine he is a competitive little man, so he'll be into
it like a robber's dog, no doubt.''
The game will start at 1.30pm, following a coaching clinic at
the venue from 10am. Entry is by gold coin donation.
Exhibition match
Players confirmed
NZCPA masters: Mark Greatbatch, Ewen Chatfield, Wade
Corneluis, Geoff Allott, Scott Styris, Glen Sulzberger, Daryl
Tuffey, Roger Twose, Kerry Walmsley.
OCCA selection: Shayne O'Connor, Justin Marshall,
Fraser Wilson, James Pyle, Charlie Hore, Rusty Neville,
Rhiane Smith, Damien Petre, Eric Standfield, Ash Flannery,
Hayden Finch.
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