Hallyburton Johnstone Shield national champions the Central Hinds are ready to begin again as the 2019/20 edition gets underway from 10.30am this Saturday at Levin’s Donnelly Park — in a milestone season that marks the team’s 40th anniversary.

     • Hallyburton Johnstone Shield begins this Saturday

     • 40th anniversary season for defending champions

     • Festival of cricket fun at Levin's Donnelly Park

The free-admission doubleheader against the Otago Sparks is the headline match in a festival of cricket this weekend at Donnelly Park, and it's one of just two home weekends for the Hinds in the 10-round one-day competition this summer.

The Hinds won’t be back again in their one-day uniforms in CD territory until the final doubleheader rounds at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park, against the Canterbury Magicians, in late February 2020.

After a breakthrough summer for the youthful team last season, one-day captain Anlo van Deventer said her side couldn’t wait to be back playing together on the park “and we’ll be relishing the opportunity to play at home first-up against the Sparks.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to get the season off to a solid start as the Sparks will be missing some of their usual leading lights with Suzie Bates playing in the Women’s Big Bash and [fellow WHITE FERN] Leigh Kasperek having moved to Wellington.”

The Sparks have gained the services of WHITE FERN Hayley Jensen, while the Hinds have named a settled line-up with no surprises to kick off a big season as the reigning champions.

 

 

Saturday's match will feature plenty of fun for supporters, with spot prizes and food on site in a festival of cricket, so make sure you're wearing green to maximise your chances.

“We’d just love more people to come along to these free-admission games, it’s a fantastic opportunity to see top female sport and the game played to national championship standards in our regional heartland,” said van Deventer.

“We love playing at Donnelly Park too. It’s a good place to play and watch cricket, they put on a good set-up for spectators so we’ll be looking forward to the home support getting vocal behind us this Saturday and Sunday.”

The Hinds will assemble in Levin on Friday afternoon with several players to visit a local school to promote the women’s game.

Following this weekend’s doubleheader, the Hinds then hit the road for two away weekends against the strong Wellington Blaze in Wellington and unpredictable Northern Spirit at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval, before turning attention the start of the Dream 11 Super Smash T20 season that starts on 13 December, in Lincoln.

The Central Hinds will also play a special 40th anniversary match against Wellington Blaze at Masterton’s Queen Elizabeth Park on 15 February 2020, followed by a commemorative dinner. Former Central Hinds, officials and supporters and invited to register for the event here.

CENTRAL HINDS

Rounds One & Two

50 overs match v Otago Sparks at Donnelly Park, Levin

10.30am Saturday 16 November 2019 

10.00am Sunday 17 November 2019

ANLO VAN DEVENTER — captain, Wairarapa 

HANNAH ROWE— vice-captain, Manawatū

GEORGIA ATKINSON — Wairarapa

KATE BAXTER — Taranaki

NATALIE DODD — wicketkeeper, Taranaki

MIKAELA GREIG — Manawatū

MELISSA HANSEN — Wairarapa

ESTHER LANSER —  Whanganui

ROSEMARY MAIR— Hawke’s Bay

MONIQUE REES — Taranaki

KERRY TOMLINSON — Whanganui

JESS WATKIN — Whanganui

Admission: free

Livescoring, points table: visit nzc.nz

Hallyburton Johnstone Shield schedule

Twitter updates: @CDCricket

Instagram: @CentralHinds

Official hashtags: #HBJShield #CentralHinds

Article added: Thursday 14 November 2019