The Bay of Plenty Development team start their defence of the ND Development competition title when they play Waikato Valley at the Cambridge Square on Sunday.

Last season, the Bay of Plenty team won the Basil McBurney trophy for the first time for a number of seasons.

File pic.

On the way to winning the symbol of ND Development superiority, they defeated Counties Manukau, Waikato Valley and Northland and had already wrapped up the title when Hamilton narrowly defeated them.

The Bay of Plenty Development team selected to play Waikato Valley is good mix of experience and youth.

Good form in the ND Development competition can lead to a call-up for the senior representative side.

One player to use the Bay Development pathway to good effect is Tommy Clout, who played his first game for the Bay first eleven last Sunday.

Bay of Plenty Development captain Peter Wood showcased his talent with the bat in the latest round of the Baywide Cup last weekend, blasting 103no for Central against Baywide heavyweights Mount Maunganui.

One Bay player who will have fond memories of facing Waikato Valley is Te Puke' Mitch McCann.

In 2008, the dashing batsman wrote his own piece of Bay of Plenty cricket history, smashing a century on debut for the Development team.

McCann carried his bat to finish with an unbeaten 110 runs to his name, as the Bay side cruised to victory.

The Development team tradition of promoting young talent continues with the selection Tauranga Boys College all-rounder Tom MacRury.

The talented youngster has been in outstanding early season form in both Baywide and Schools cricket.

Bay of Plenty Development Team v Waikato Valley at Cambridge November 18

Peter Wood (captain) Jason Trembath, Julian Danby, Andrew Gibbs (Rotorua Central) Jeremy Bates, Mitch McCann (Te Puke) Tom MacRury (Tauranga Boys College) Alex Yates (East Bay United) Russell Williams (Mount Maunganui) Shane Wineti, Campbell Thomas (Greerton) Zac Scott (Otumoetai Cadets)

ND Development Draw

November 18 Bay of Plenty v Waikato Valley at Cambridge

January 27 Bay of Plenty v Northland at Tauranga

January 28 Bay of Plenty v Counties Manukau at Tauranga

February 10 Bay of Plenty v Hamilton at Hamilton