There is plenty to play for in the Zone 4 Hawke Cup elimination game between Otago Country and South Canterbury at Aorangi Park in Timaru this weekend.
Although Otago Country is essentially playing for pride, South Canterbury will be looking to push the game hard and chase for an outright result to keep it in the hunt for the Hawke Cup Challenge from Zone 4.
While North Otago has stolen a bit of a march on the competition, South Canterbury is still in with a sniff.
The Fraser Wilson-led Otago Country side travels to Timaru with an outright loss to North Otago and a rained-out draw against Southland in its first two games.
The side will be disappointed in its season so far and will be looking for a strong showing in its penultimate game of its season.
Sanchit Sandhu, the opening bowler from the Molyneux club, will make his debut in this game, while Michael Goldstein returns at the top of the order to bolster the batting.
Much will be expected from the experienced players in the game.
Brayden Hill, Jarred Andrew, Mark Knox and Wilson have played many seasons at this level and know what is required of them.
Tom Myles will spearhead a reasonably inexperienced bowling line-up and he will be expected to continue with the fine form he has shown so far in this competition.
South Canterbury will be looking to in-form batsman Prabodha Arthavidu to form the backbone of its batting effort.
A century-maker in the last game, he does pose a big risk to the Otago Country chances.
- Malcolm Jones
Hawke Cup
Otago Country v South Canterbury
Otago Country: Henry Burns, Brayden Hill, Michael Goldstein, Liam Cotton, Fraser Wilson (capt), Jarred Andrew, Cam Fawkner, Mark Knox, Tim McCormick, Tom Myles, Sanchit Sandhu.
South Canterbury: Jacques Marais, Adam Beck, Prabodha Arthavidu, Nick Horsley, Jack Harper, Glen Drake (capt), Liam Beck, Craig Hinton, Stan Mair, Alex McDuff, Nick Maguire, Phil Lill.
