Cricket: Taranaki names side ahead of Furlong Cup opener

Ian Snook

(File photo)

This weekend (November 02 & 03) at Pukekura Park, the Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki mens team begin their quest to win the Furlong Cup, the competition amongst the Central Districts associations, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Whanganui, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wairarapa.

At the completion of this competition the winners will also have earned the right to challenge for the Hawke Cup.

The Hawke Cup, which kicked off in 1910, is the trophy that every minor association cricketer wants to get his hands on. There is a mountain of satisfaction if a team can win and defend that cup. As every new season begins provincial players have their eyes set on earning a challenge and lifting the trophy. Of course, only a few will feel the elation and satisfaction.

The Central Districts region has a particularly strong history in the Hawke Cup. Hawkes Bay have held the trophy on twelve occasions, Nelson on ten occasions, Manawatu nine and Taranaki six.

These days Hawkes Bay are the ‘Big Guns’. They have held the trophy at the completion of the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2023/24 seasons. They will certainly arrive with a rightly deserved swagger.

With Central Districts in the middle of their Ford Trophy one-day games neither Hawkes Bay nor Taranaki will be at full strength, but what will be on show is a battle between two historically competitive sides, full of aggression and competitiveness. Both will be looking to strike the first blow and start the season with a confidence building performance.

Sam Fastier, Taranaki’s first-time captain, is animated by the prospect. “We are looking forward to testing ourselves against a team that are the benchmark of minor association cricket. We can’t wait”.

Coach Chris Coombe has named the following 12.

Sam Fastier (NPMU) ©; Jordan Gard (NPOB) (VC); Ryan Watson (NPMU), Dean Robinson (NPBHS); Bailey Wisnewski (Inglewood); Josh Borrell (NPOB); Rupert Young (NPOB); Liam Muggeridge (Stratford); Oli Burbidge (NPOB); Mattie Thomas (NPOB); John Beale (Stratford); Liam Carr (NPOB).

Unavailable: Ben Frewin (NPOB), Trent McGrath (Hawera)

This is a strong Taranaki line-up, lead by Watson with the ball and Robinson with the bat. Both have already established themselves at the top echelon of Taranaki representatives, and there have been 707 since 1894.

Robinson has scored four previous centuries against Hawkes Bay, which is an amazing feat in itself. Watson has a six-for and a five-for and will be looking to build on these successes.

There is plenty of excitement with the inclusion of Young, now a mature player of quality, who has represented both Hawkes Bay and Canterbury Country in the Hawke Cup, scoring centuries for both provinces.

A natural striker of the ball, he certainly adds value to a long Taranaki batting line-up.

Borrell, Wisnewski and Muggeridge at the top of the order, and Thomas and Watson in the lower order, have also scored centuries in provincial cricket.

With Fastier and Burbidge also capable of big totals, and having a powerful hitting Gard as low as nine in the order, the team will hit this game confident that they can match it with any other side in the Furlong Cup.

Backing up Watson with the ball is the canny Beale, a former Whanganui representative, with the ability to swing and seam and perform against the best.

Gard is the new Jamie Watkins, (a former Taranaki all-rounder and centurion), possessing the same uncanny accuracy with the ball and the ability to score runs when required.

Another player capable of executing match winning performances is all-rounder Thomas. Thomas, a left arm orthodox spinner and highly capable batsman has been a constant in the team, clocking up 81 games in the process, with only Robinson ahead of him.

He will be anticipating a big season with bat and ball following two years of playing with injuries. It will be good to see a smile back on his face as he sets about his work.

The joker in the pack might just turn out to be the young left-arm spinner Carr. Already a CD age group and ‘A’ team rep he bowls with a maturity and cunning belying his age. If there is any assistance in the Pukekura Park track, he will certainly be a wicket taking option. As well, he is an outstanding fieldsman and will no doubt set the standards for the side.

Don’t miss this. Start of play on both days is 10.30.