A change of format awaits the Bay of Plenty Representative cricket team when it travels to Gisborne to play Poverty Bay this weekend in a two-day Fergus Hickey Rosebowl match.

The current Fergus Hickey format is a mix of one and two-day games with the two innings per side game giving a different edge to the encounters.

The toss is often vital in a two-day match-up with plenty of pressure on the team taking first use of the batting strip to build a substantial first innings total. With many of the Fergus Hickey two-day matches decided on first innings points, the first session of play on day one often determines the final result.

The Bay side has plenty of top quality batting ammunition. Peter Drysdale and Ben Christensen can be a potent force at the top of the order, with Bharat Popli and Joe Carter grand replacement front line attacking batsmen.

A feature of this season Bay of Plenty side is the quality all-rounders in the team line-up. Steven Rae and Brett Hampton are equally adept with bat and ball, with the majority of the team bowlers able to bat with authority on occasions.

Mount Maunganui wicketkeeper Matt Golding will be making his Bay of Plenty First XI debut. The Mount keeper is a more than useful lower order batsman, who can dig in with good effect.

James MacMillan will assume the captain's role with Jono Boult back in the Northern Knights team. The Eastern Pirates skipper, who broke into the Bay side for the first time this season, after good form with the bat in the Development team ranks last year, is a leader of rare ability.

Bay of Plenty Team v Poverty Bay – two day match 26/27 February 2011 at Gisborne

Bay of Plenty Men's Team v Poverty Bay

James MacMillan (captain) Peter Drysdale, Ben Christensen, Bharat Popli, Joe Carter, Matt Golding, Steven Rae, Brett Hampton, Sean Davey, Dale Swan, Tony Goodin, Mitch McCann.