Wizards look for fast spells
25 June 2003
By GEOFF LONGLEY
Canterbury is trying to sign a new-ball pace bowler in the coming weeks to flesh out its squad for the domestic season.
Having secured wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum, who will bat in the top four, the Wizards are after a fast bowler, according to chief executive Richard Reid, to add some bite to an attack which was often pedestrian last season.
It is hoped that the highly-promising Wade Cornelius will return to the first-class arena he made such an impact in two seasons ago. Cornelius missed most of last season with a recurrence of the stress fracture he suffered at the end of the previous season.
Warren Wisneski remains a key cog in the Wizards' bowling wheel, but he has struggled with hamstring injuries during the last two seasons.
"It would be great to have those two back and firing but they have been injury plagued and I think we need someone else to help spearhead the attack."
Reid said Chris Martin was left to carry a heavy workload in their absence. Martin has been dropped from the list of Black Caps' contracted players, but the elevation of Paul Wiseman to the New Zealand top 20 has effectively meant a swap. McCullum is also a New Zealand contracted player, which will not impact on Canterbury's 11 contractees.
Reid indicated Canterbury was unlikely to be interested in medium pacer Paul Hitchcock, who is leaving Wellington after being unable to break into the four-day team there.
"We have some good third seamers down here ourselves but we need someone who is going to knock opening batsmen over."
A player like the hard-working Central Districts pace bowler Michael Mason, who is on the fringe of the Black Caps, could be the sort of player Canterbury is seeking.
Reid said the period for negotiation was underway after the Black Caps' contracts were listed earlier this month.
Players have to indicate by July 1 whether they are intending to remain with their existing association, while the domestic contracts must be finalised by July 15.
Reid believes the acquisition of McCullum will mean Canterbury does not need to pursue any other batting specialists.
"I think we have enough ability in the province. We have Gary Stead and Michael Papps and if Chris Harris is not playing for the Black Caps he will be around.
"There are also all the promising younger players coming on like Peter Fulton, Neil Broom and Shanan Stewart."
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Looks like someone(another) from out of the region is coming to Canterbury for the next season.
25 June 2003
By GEOFF LONGLEY
Canterbury is trying to sign a new-ball pace bowler in the coming weeks to flesh out its squad for the domestic season.
Having secured wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum, who will bat in the top four, the Wizards are after a fast bowler, according to chief executive Richard Reid, to add some bite to an attack which was often pedestrian last season.
It is hoped that the highly-promising Wade Cornelius will return to the first-class arena he made such an impact in two seasons ago. Cornelius missed most of last season with a recurrence of the stress fracture he suffered at the end of the previous season.
Warren Wisneski remains a key cog in the Wizards' bowling wheel, but he has struggled with hamstring injuries during the last two seasons.
"It would be great to have those two back and firing but they have been injury plagued and I think we need someone else to help spearhead the attack."
Reid said Chris Martin was left to carry a heavy workload in their absence. Martin has been dropped from the list of Black Caps' contracted players, but the elevation of Paul Wiseman to the New Zealand top 20 has effectively meant a swap. McCullum is also a New Zealand contracted player, which will not impact on Canterbury's 11 contractees.
Reid indicated Canterbury was unlikely to be interested in medium pacer Paul Hitchcock, who is leaving Wellington after being unable to break into the four-day team there.
"We have some good third seamers down here ourselves but we need someone who is going to knock opening batsmen over."
A player like the hard-working Central Districts pace bowler Michael Mason, who is on the fringe of the Black Caps, could be the sort of player Canterbury is seeking.
Reid said the period for negotiation was underway after the Black Caps' contracts were listed earlier this month.
Players have to indicate by July 1 whether they are intending to remain with their existing association, while the domestic contracts must be finalised by July 15.
Reid believes the acquisition of McCullum will mean Canterbury does not need to pursue any other batting specialists.
"I think we have enough ability in the province. We have Gary Stead and Michael Papps and if Chris Harris is not playing for the Black Caps he will be around.
"There are also all the promising younger players coming on like Peter Fulton, Neil Broom and Shanan Stewart."
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Looks like someone(another) from out of the region is coming to Canterbury for the next season.
