Bay Of Plenty based all-rounder Pete Drysdale will take to the pitch with the Northern Districts take on the Otago Volts in a crucial Ford Trophy match today, at Seddon Park.
Drysdale has been drafted into the squad with spin pairing Tim Pringle and Joe Walker both out with injury.
Skipper Jeet Raval also has the luxury of calling on BLACKCAPS seamer Neil Wagner again; the left armer won GameChanger of the match at Sunday's Dream11 Super Smash T20 at Bay Oval with a fantastic new-ball spell.
Northern Districts sit third on the Ford Trophy table, with Otago Volts a point behind in fourth.
Both sides have a game in hand on the top two and can elevate themselves into the finals spot with strong bonus point wins.
Despite a loss in the previous game to the Central Stags, there were some huge positives for the Northern Districts with Henry Cooper scoring a crucial 100, whilst Joe Carter is in form with 67 in that match and a career best of 76* in Sunday's T20.
"We're in a strong position leading into the back-end of both white ball competitions," says Northern Districts opener Katene Clarke, who has 177 runs this season at a strike rate north of 100 in the Ford Trophy.
"We'll look to keep playing our aggressive cricket and push for the finals.
"Switching between the two formats, our approach is very similar, we prepare well and play a positive brand."
Pete Drysdale returns to the side having made his List A debut in December, picking up two wickets including one from his first ball.
He provides the option of turning it away from the left-hander, of which Otago Volts will likely have three, whilst Freddy Walker turns it away from the right-hander.
"It's great to have Pete back in.
"He brings a different skillset, a genuine all-rounder who bats left handed and plays against spin really well with his sweep shots.
"His off-spin will also be a good option for us with the ball as well."
Tomorrow's Ford Trophy clash against the Otago Volts will start at 11am with the toss at 10.30am.
Entry is free for all spectactors. The match can also be followed online at nzc.nz.
NORTHERN DISTRICTS MEN V OTAGO VOLTS
WEDNESDAY 25th JANUARY
SEDDON PARK, HAMILTON
|
Katene Clarke |
Counties Manukau |
|
Tim Seifert |
Waikato Valley |
|
Jeet Raval © |
Counties Manukau |
|
Joe Carter |
Bay of Plenty |
|
Henry Cooper |
Northland |
|
Bharat Popli |
Bay of Plenty |
|
Brett Hampton |
Bay of Plenty |
|
Scott Kuggeleijn |
Hamilton |
|
Kristian Clarke |
Waikato Valley |
|
Pete Drysdale |
Bay of Plenty |
|
Freddy Walker |
Hamilton |
|
Neil Wagner |
Bay of Plenty |
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