Chasing back to back wins

Investment in young Bay of Plenty cricket talent is expected to pay dividends in the next decade. File photo.

Eight current secondary school students, selected in the Bay of Plenty Development team, to play Waikato Valley at the Tauranga Domain on Sunday, reflect a deliberate strategy by the Bay selectors to promote and develop young cricket talent in the region.

Convener of Selectors Tai Bridgman-Raison says the selectors have a clear strategy, to invest in the emerging talent in the Bay of Plenty, who will become the backbone of the senior men's sides in the next decade.

"We now have in place strong links and communication, between those working in our secondary school, development and senior men's environments, which allow us to closely monitor individual players' progress.”

The team will be led by Matt Golding, who has a wealth of representative and premier club cricket experience. While Matt is a high quality wicket-keeper, he will hand over the gloves at the Tauranga Domain to one of his young charges in Ben Pomare, to allow him to concentrate on leading his young side.

Cadets young batsman Fergus Lellman, along with Tauranga Boys' College quick bowler Rhys Mischewski and Ben Pomare, will make their Bay Development team debut, joining Tim Pringle, Dominic Crombie and Craig Baldry who made their Development debut against Hamilton two weeks ago.

'It is great that we have so much young potential coming through with the team that we have selected to play Waikato Valley, which puts Bay of Plenty Cricket in great shape for the future. Our young players in the side will benefit by being exposed to a higher level of cricket,” says Bay of Plenty Development Coach Russell Williams.

'This weekend is another chance to build on the high standard that was set by the team two weeks ago and all the boys are really looking forward to the challenge at the Tauranga Domain.”

The Bay of Plenty second eleven made a stunning start to the 2017/18 ND Development competition when they beat Hamilton for the first time since 2010, in the 2017/18 Basil McBurney Trophy opening round.

The home encounter went down to the wire, with Bay of Plenty posted 206/7, with Dominic Crombie top scoring with an unbeaten 53. The Waikato visitors got away to a flyer, however the momentum of the match dramatically turned when Dominic Crombie grabbed a hat trick. The Bay of Plenty bowlers and fielders went on to restrict Hamilton to 204/8, to grab a two run victory.

ND Development Competition 2017/18

November 19 Bay of Plenty v Waikato Valley at Tauranga Domain – 10.30am start

Bay of Plenty Team

Matt Golding - captain (Mount Maunganui) Fergus Lellman, Tim Pringle, Ruben Clinton (Cadets) Dominic Crombie, Craig Baldry, Ben Pomare, Iman Singh, Rhys Mischewski (Tauranga Boys College) Alastair Blackett, Cam Riley (Te Puke) Sean Wakelin (Greerton)

Coach: Russell Williams Manager: Shaun Riley

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.