The CENTRAL HINDS are set to open the 2024/25 NZC women's Domestic season at the Cello Basin Reserve this weekend, their first two Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches away in Wellington.

It's new Head Coach DEEPAK JOON's first assignment with the full-time reins, and both teams have first-time captains as well - MIKAELA GREIG to helm the Hinds and ex-Hinds rep REBECCA BURNS to lead Wellington Blaze.

That's a fitting touch for both teams, given round one of this summer's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield doubles as this year's Viv Stephens Memorial Trophy match between the two teams.

The special trophy honours the Hinds' first captain, much missed former CDCA LIfe Member Viv Stephens (née Saxton) who represented both teams.

When we say 'summer' - bear in mind that it's with fingers crossed, given the unseasonal weather moving across the middle of the motu.

If there is no result in tomorrow's game due to weather, the Viv Stephens Memorial Trophy will once again be shared in the capital, as it was in its first season three years ago.

It is only contested in the first scheduled List A one-dayer between the Blaze and Hinds each season.

A wet Basin in 2021/22 | PHOTOSPORT

The ledger currently stands at 1-1.

The selectors have named a squad of 14 to cover the opening weekend, uncapped Taranaki talent GRACE FOREMAN selected for the first time and set to join the team ahead of Sunday's match, after having received her first contract with the team this year.

Grace Foreman | MBUTCHER

Foreman will get to learn from two of the best at the Basin as T20 world champion WHITE FERNS ROSEMARY MAIR and HANNAH ROWE get ready to head out in the Hinds' green for the first time this summer, rejoining a squad that's been building up nicely across a mix of traditional warm-up fixtures, CD A matches and camps.

Seam meets swing, Rosemary Mair and Claudia Green | PHOTOSPORT

With Nelson pace bowler ANNA GAGING still making her way back from a shin repair, there's an opportunity also for Manawatū's strong seamer JESS OGDEN in the opening weekend, with the team to be named at toss time on both days.

The Round One toss is scheduled for 10am tomorrow at the Basin (weather permitting) with free livestreams here at www.cdcricket.co.nz from the start of play for both one-dayers.

While the Hinds are starting away from home this year, it's only two weeks until their first home weekend at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North, on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December against the Auckland Hearts - free admission on both days.

HALLYBURTON JOHNSTONE SHIELD

At Cello Basin Reserve v Wellington Blaze

ROUND 1 • 10.30am Saturday, 16 November 2024

ROUND 2 • 10.30am Sunday, 17 November 2024

MIKAELA Greig — captaincy debut, Manawatū

ANIELA Apperley — Hawke’s Bay

GEORGIA Atkinson — Wairarapa

OCEAN Bartlett — Wairarapa

FLORA Devonshire — Hawke’s Bay

GRACE Foreman — Taranaki, uncapped (Round 2 only)

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

Livescoring and free livestream: www.cdcricket.co.nz

Contracted players unavailable for selection

Ashtuti Kumar — return from injury protocol (knee)

Anna Gaging — return from injury protocol (leg)

WELLINGTON BLAZE

Rebecca Burns (c), Leigh Kasperek, Nicole Baird

Rachel Bryant, Natasha Codyre, Hannah Francis, Antonia Hamilton (w)

Jess Kerr, Caitlin King, Gemma Sims, Xara Jetly, Phoenix Williams

 

 

 

Article added: Friday 15 November 2024