The Otago Sparks will begin their quest for a third consecutive Hallyburton Johnstone Shield title at the University Oval today. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi catches up with new coach Gareth Davies ahead of the opening game.
The Otago Sparks will get an early test of their new-found depth.
They have drawn Auckland first up.
It is a rematch of last year’s dramatic Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final, which the Sparks won by four wickets in possibly one of the best games of cricket staged at the University Oval.
Auckland blazed 291 for five as Maddy Green posted a majestic 126 from 123 balls.
The Sparks had dominated the competition but went into the final missing three of their best players.
Openers Suzie Bates and Bella James were ruled out before the game and key all-rounder Hayley Jensen injured herself during the warm-up.
But the Sparks proved incredibly resilient.
Felicity Robertson (53), Polly Inglis (86) and Eden Carson (59 not out) helped seal the last-ball win.
It is players like Watkins and Olivia Gain who will help carry this team forward, as the Sparks are missing some firepower this season.
Jensen has retired, and seamer Molly Loe has washed up in Canterbury.
Carson has an elbow complaint and will miss the opening round of games, and James will miss today’s game due to a family commitment, but is available for tomorrow’s game, which is also against Auckland.
Bates is based in Auckland these days but has been with the team since Tuesday.
New coach Gareth Davies is following a tough act.
Craig Cumming got the team humming. Davies’ job is to keep them rolling while bringing the younger players through.
He is awfully excited about it. The Welshman moved over four months ago and has been building towards this day since then.
‘‘If key players are missing, we are very confident we’ve got players in our whole squad, because we’re so strong in our depth,’’ Davies said.
‘‘I’m confident they will step up and take their opportunity. That is something that’s really impressed me, is the strength and depth of the Otago Sparks.’’
Watkins is one of those players he is expecting to deliver a big season.
She started out with the Sparks as a promising left-arm seamer. But injuries have led to her switching to spin, which she is still developing, and putting more emphasis on her batting.
‘‘This has been the first preseason where she’s been injury-free and can really commit to executing that skill, learning the skill and executing through it.
‘‘She also brings power as well with her bat. She’s going to be an exciting player to look out for.’’
Gain is another in that mode.
She is an excellent ball-striker, but has struggled with consistency.
‘‘I think she’s got really high potential and it’s just framing it in a way within her game to be successful.
‘‘We’ve worked really hard on that over the winter and I genuinely feel that she could have an exciting career.
‘‘Saffron Wilson has been outstanding in the nets. She’s batted the house down and is someone that ... could really be influential for us this season as well.’’
Davies can also call on an experienced crew.
Very few people have played more cricket than Bates. She played a limited part in the campaign last season, but the veteran international always makes an impact.
James and Inglis have had a taste of international cricket and will be keen to press for more opportunities through some strong domestic performances.
Emma Black did not collect as many wickets as she would have liked last summer, but she is a key bowler for the Sparks up top, particularly in the absence of Jensen.
Louisa Kotkamp and Harriett Cuttance are set to get more opportunities at the bowling crease.
Kotkamp grabbed six wickets in four games last season, including a best of four for 17.
And spinner Anna Browning will have a bigger role to play this weekend with Carson sidelined.
She took 13 wickets last campaign and has potential with the bat, which she has not quite delivered on for the Sparks yet.
Green will bring up 100 list A games for Auckland tomorrow and is part of an all-star cast that includes White Ferns Brooke Halliday, Lauren Down, Bree Illing and Fran Jonas.
Hallyburton Johnstone Shield
Dunedin, today and tomorrow
Otago Sparks: Bella James, Suzie Bates, Felicity Robertson, Caitlin Blakely, Polly Inglis, Olivia Gain, PJ Watkins, Anna Browning, Emma Black, Louisa Kotkamp, Harriett Cuttance, Saffron Wilson, Chloe Deerness.
Auckland Hearts: Olivia Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Elizabeth Buchanan, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Lauren Down, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Rishika Jaswak, Fran Jonas, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold.
