Bay of Plenty has selected a strong line-up to meet Manawatu in the Hawke Cup Direct Challenge to be played at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on Friday to Sunday.

The Bay representatives won the Hawke Cup for the fourth time when they over powered Hamilton a couple of weeks ago.

Current Northern Knight Jono Boult is available for the Hawke Cup defence after missing the Bay's Hawke Cup victory.

Last season Boult set new all-time figures for the number of Bay wickets in a season, when he grabbed 33 wickets to overtake Graeme Aldridge previous record.

Regular wicket keeper Tim Clarke returns to the side after missing the Hawke Cup encounter against Hamilton because of injury.

He is a quality middle order batsman who has posted 434 runs in two and half seasons in the Bay of Plenty uniform.

Tauranga Boys' College player Tom MacRury will quickly learn about life in the fast lane of minor association cricket when he walks onto the Bay Oval on Friday.

The Western Bay youngster has had spectacular season and was one of the star batsmen at the recent National Under 19 cricket tournament.

Just last weekend he blasted an unbeaten 132 for Tauranga Boys in a Baywide Premier game.

However Bay of Plenty will be well aware of the reality of Hawke Cup cricket with several current team members in the side that was mauled by Manawatu in 2010.

The Bay batted first and were removed for just 100, with Manawatu going on to post 659 and easily repel the Bay of Plenty challenge.

Bay of Plenty Team v Manawatu (Hawke Cup Challenge) @ BOP Oval, Mount Maunganui 8/10 February 2013

Peter Drysdale, Joe Carter, Bharat Popli, Jono Boult, Tom MacRury, Brett Hampton, Mitch McCann, Tim Clarke, Sean Davey, Tony Goodin, Dale Swan, Tommy Clout, Ben Williams (one to be omitted)