Cricket: Winning side intact for Hawkes Bay

Ian Snook

Fresh from an outright victory over Manawatu, Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki coach Chris Coombe has named the same successful twelve to run out this weekend against Hawkes Bay in Napier.

This will be Taranaki’s final game in the Furlong Cup and will only be important in performance, as the team are sitting in third position behind Whanganui and Hawkes Bay and cannot now claim the top spot.

Since the advent of professional cricket, and with the Central Districts headquarters now well ensconced in Hawkes Bay, it is Hawkes Bay who are consistently at the top of the tree in CD. This game always provides a bit more edge for the likes of Taranaki, who love nothing better than knocking over the big boys.

In fact, Taranaki head into this game with three wins from three in the most recent clashes between the two provinces. Another victory would provide a ton of confidence, especially as it is likely to be Hawkes Bay who will head over for the first Hawke Cup challenge at the end of the month.

Coombe’s plan of sending in two attacking left handers to open the innings had to be regarded as a success last week with partnerships of 76 and 23 at a good clip, and individual scores of 70 and 23 for Josh Borrell and 38 and 14 for Robson Chapman.

Borrell in particular with his game high 70 looked in great nick, remembering that his previous score was a mammoth 196 against Horowhenua-Kapiti.

The experienced trio of Bailey Wisnewski, Rupert Young and Liam Muggeridge, arriving next at the crease, all provided glimpses of their talent, with bests of 27, 33 not out and 34, in the above order, which can all bring a smile, but knowing there is a lot left to give.

The Nelson Park wicket should provide an opportunity for these players to go big. Wisnewski’s compact technique, Young’s ability to work his way through and build an innings, and Muggeridge’s wristy shots and great eye, suggests there is a peak performance very close by.

The depth of batting, yet to be proven this season, lines up Jacob Leuthard-Richards at six, Davis Mills at seven, Mattie Thomas at eight, Jordan Gard at nine and Ryan Watson at ten.

Leuthard-Richards, a hard-hitting batsman, is in his early days as a rep player, with a highest score of 95 during the successful 24/25 season. It shouldn’t be too far away before he clicks in and notches another considerable innings. He certainly puts the work in.

He is followed by the Mills, a correct batsman with plenty of concentration, and an accurate bowler with his little medium pacers, or off-spinners, as required.

Mill’s performances last weekend with a vital 20 in 69 balls and bowling figures of 0-9 from six overs and 0-10 off six overs, provided the team with a reliable performer in tough situations, and he may well have cemented a spot for the Hawke Cup challenges coming up.

This game will provide another opportunity to demonstrate his wares.

Thomas, already with a century under his belt for Taranaki, two not out innings so far in 25/26 and 183 wickets overall, was in great form with the ball last week, suggesting he is at the top of his game.

A smiling Thomas is just what the side need.

Captain Jordan Gard took on the new ball last weekend and was a constant threat. With this experience under his belt, and a better understanding of his role, there is no doubt he can be a menace to all batsmen.

A gritty all-round competitor, with batting ability as well, Gard leads from the front, in true Taranaki fashion.

Watson, now with an incredible 202 bowling scalps beside his name, is closing in on ex-international Gary Robertson who has 210, and will be looking for a polished performance.

As lively as any bowler in CD, Watson on his day can produce performances that can unsettle any batsman with his angle and bounce and just fierce determination. He is also a batsman of talent with a provincial century in his stats.

So, from six to ten, there is a ton of batting talent. This would be the game to reinforce that belief.

Speedster Callum Stuart had a limited opportunity last week but after a big workout during this week, he will be better prepared to hit his lengths straight away and provide a quick edge to the attack. This is an opportunity he will be very keen to make the most off.

Sitting at the top of the bowling brigade is the little magician Liam Carr.

With 18 wickets so far this season and a bag of five to go with three first innings wickets last weekend, Carr is at the top of his game.

With a hop and a skip to start the approach to the crease, it evolves into a smooth and rhythmical release and a clever array of variations, as he baffles even the best of batsmen.

It is always tough getting the better of Hawkes Bay, even in the old days when they could line-up with several internationals on any given day, which makes it a game to look forward to and one in which every Taranaki player wants to do well.

Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki V Hawkes Bay. Furlong Cup. Nelson Park, Napier. 17/18 January, 2026

Jordan Gard ©, Ryan Watson (VC), Josh Borrell, Robson Chapman, Bailey Wisnewski, Rupert Young (WK), Liam Muggeridge, Jacob Leuthard-Richards, Mattie Thomas, Liam Carr, Callum Stuart.