Cricket: Big games loom for Hinds at Pukekura Park

CD Cricket

The Central Hinds are looking for two big games in front of their Taranaki cricket supporters as they play their first games at Pukekura Park this season.

The fifth (Saturday) and sixth (Sunday) rounds of the one-day Hallyburton Johnstone Shield represent the halfway mark of the national competition, with the Hinds urgently needing to bounce back from a double blow against the Auckland Hearts, a fortnight ago in Palmerston North.

The Hinds have named a squad of 13 to cover the big weekend in which they host the Canterbury Magicians back-to-back, while the Magicians’ squad features former Taranaki star Kate Ebrahim.

Both teams head into the clashes on five points, with just one win, while the defending champion Otago Sparks are meanwhile racing ahead of the bunch with an impressive 20 points from four bonus point wins.

A maximum of five points is available from each match in the 10-round regular season, with the top two sides progressing to the national final later this season - and the way things are going, it could soon be five teams fighting it out for that second qualifying spot.

The good news for the Hinds is that experienced Nelson swing bowler Claudia Green returns after a concussion lay-off, the fringe WHITE FERN looking for just two more wickets this weekend to chalk up 50 List A victims.

Green’s return means fellow Nelson Nyxons pace bowler Anna Gaging drops out of the squad, while Manawatū’s Jess Ogden remains with the group to further bolster a strong seam attack.

Although a last-ball loss in the third round and then heavy defeat in the fourth against the Auckland Hearts was a heartbreaker for the team, the Hinds will also head to New Plymouth with some new career best performances to boost their confidence.

Veteran allrounder Thamsyn Newton (84) hit her career best half century in round four and left-hander Flora Devonshire (55) reached her maiden half century the following day, along with a career-best List A bowling performance from young part-time spinner Emma McLeod (2/47) who promptly went on to claim a five-wicket bag for CD Under 19 at the NZC Women’s Under 19 Nationals.

The fifth round toss is scheduled for 10am tomorrow (Saturday), with the matches starting at 10.30am both days and free livestreams at www.cdcricket.co.nz

Hallyburton Johnstone Shield

CENTRAL HINDS SQUAD (13)

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Round 5: Saturday 14 Dec
Round 6: Sunday 15 Dec 2024

MIKAELA Greig — captain, Manawatū
ANIELA Apperley — Hawke’s Bay
GEORGIA Atkinson — Wairarapa
OCEAN Bartlett — Wairarapa
FLORA Devonshire — Hawke’s Bay
KATE Gaging — Nelson
CLAUDIA Green – Nelson
EMMA McLeod — Wairarapa
ROSEMARY Mair — Hawke’s Bay
THAMSYN Newton — Hawke’s Bay
JESSICA Ogden — Manawatū
HANNAH Rowe — Manawatū
KERRY Tomlinson — Hawke’s Bay

Head Coach: DEEPAK Joon