Kippax
Cricketer Of The Year
Northern Knights
The SKYCITY Northern Knights will look to protect top spot for the remaining three fixtures without the services of injured Blackcap wicket-keeper BJ Watling.
Watling strained a hamstring while batting in the Knights' thumping 151 run win over Central Districts in New Plymouth on Sunday, and is unlikely to play any further part in the preliminary matches. The Knights are hopeful of a return in time for the finals, should they make them, but this will be contingent on the severity of Watling's hamstring tear.
Keeper Rory Christopherson from Northland will replace Watling for the match against the Wellington Firebirds on Wednesday at Seddon Park. Christopherson made his debut late in the Plunket Shield season following an injury to back-up keeper Cameron Fletcher and the unavailability of Watling. This will be his debut in the shortened version.