It's fantastic to hear that he's been involved with the first team. It was a real thrill to see how he did at U18 level as it put some stats at a higher level on top what had before been just a few whispers and school scorecards. So often there's a buzz about a young kid, only for them to disappear-you only have to think about how much any person changes between the ages of 13 and 19!He's been training with the ND squad all off-season and played in all their warm up games before the season started. Liked his view from behind the stumps when Ryder whacked that 40 ball 100 against ND a month ago apparently
I think the plan with him his to allow for some more growth before throwing him into the deep end, hence the Wheater signing. Let him play some more association cricket, ND "A" etc and bring him into the mix next season. He's still at school at the moment but he's been part of the ND set up for about two years now, massive future in the game. Scored a ton of runs at school and has been talked up since he was about 13 years old.
This could be the best season in ages for the Wellington Ryderbirds
pretty good write up in the Dom about their partnership. Also some snippets about Boam's development of his game in off season. Sounds similar to Franklin a few years ago. Too correct, learning to smash 6s in this t20 world we live in .....Watched Karori Prems against I think Wainui on the pitch next to me.
Karori have Boam, Murdoch, and McKay. Karori scored 380 in 50 overs.
Incredible. Boam 110. Murdoch 150.
I watched Murdoch build his inning. Very cicumspect at first. He faced many maidens against a bowler who I personally felt I could have played some attacking strokes to. Instead he kept it ticking over off the other bowlers. Then with 15-20 overs to go they cut loose.
Massive 6s and 4s everywhere. But he built his inning and looked classy playing in grade cricket.
CricHQ | Matches
In Wainui's chase - some poor mongrel was facing McKay who bowled him a no ball. So on the free hit delivery McKay just bent his back and bowled a bouncer and the batsman wanted no part of it.
Hartmann will bat at No 5 behind openers Peter Ingram and Robinson, with captain Dion Ebrahim at three and Young at four.
The other newcomer is Hondo - a former Zimbabwean international.
A fast bowler, Hondo plays his club cricket for the Hawera United premier side and takes the one available spot in the rep team for an overseas player.
O'Neill said Hondo has fitted in well to the rep squad since arriving late last month.
"We'll use him in the pre-Christmas games on the wickets that suit him," he said.
O'Neill said Hondo hits the wicket hard with the ball, adding Hondo's experience had already proved its worth, with him passing on bowling tips to the young players in the squad.
O'Neill doesn't need telling of the importance for a team to start the cup series well. It's a competition that if you start badly and get off the pace, getting back in contention is almost impossible.
There are six teams chasing the one available spot to challenge for the cup which is currently held by Hamilton. O'Neill was yesterday talking of a first innings win against Manawatu at best.
"The wicket at Pukekura Park is as good as I've seen prepared in years for a Taranaki game," he said. "So you would expect both batting sides might be hard to get out on that. I'd be surprised if it went to an outright result."
Douglas Hondo?!?!!!?
Makes me want to dig up his tribute thread. His final game ever in List A will live in folk lore.And Dion Ebrahim!?
Hawke Cup rocks. Used to be such a big deal growing up in the provinces. Good to see Mason still turning out for Manawatu.
Ebrahim's been playing for the Naki for ages, hasn't he?And Dion Ebrahim!?
Well, the bowling looks strong, not so sure about the batting...of the all rounders, none of them have really stood out yet. Your certainly right that there's a space available for whoever gets noticed first.With the all rounders going round atm, and with the old/average ones in the Blackcaps (Ellis, Oram), who do you think has the most potential to take the next spot available? Basically they all need another season in domestic to get experience.
I'm fans of Boam, Neesham and probably Anderson (Looks like he's back to bowling full time, and looks handy). I think it's pretty dumb leaving Boam out of the Firebirds, and having Elliott there making 0 runs and bowling 5 overs a game. Basically keeping his spot because of experience and a big score every 5 games.
With these guys around, with the likes of Boult, Southee, Milne, Small, Henry, Bracewell, Williamson, Rutherford, Latham and the likes, that age group looks strong for the next decade.