Story The HRV Cup: The Knights' Quest ***WF victors in close game with OV***

[just_cricket]

Summer is well and truly here, New Zealand is having a prosperous festive season, and now it's HRV Cup time!
The second edition of this prestigious event is set to launch once more, so expect more sixes, wickets, breathtaking catches, and most likely a few more Super Over Eliminators to cap off brilliantly close matches! Last year's tournament held plenty of exciting cricket action at its exhilirating best, and this year promises to be as sizzling hot as the summer!

What's new for 2011:

-The most exciting change this year means that the HRV Cup will become an international event. Each team is allowed to sign one overseas player in their squad, and over the course of the tournament each team will play one of their home games at their overseas player's home ground! This means the HRV Cup will hit England, Australia, Jamaica, Sri Lanka and South Africa!

-The other major change is what waits at the end for the winner- not only does the winning team have the opportunity of a lifetime to compete in the Champions League in India at the end of the year, but they will also receive $1m prize money donated by HRV, Ford and Canterbury of New Zealand.

The Teams:

Follow the Northern Knights on their quest to take out the HRV Cup for the first time- they have won the Domestic First Class and One Day 50 over competitions on numerous occassions but never the T20 tournament. Led by captain James Marshall and guided by coach and former Black Caps Grant Bradburn, can 2011 be their year?​

Updates

Previews
Northern Knights Auckland Aces Central Stags
Wellington Firebirds Canterbury Wizards Otago Volts

Cricket Company Episode 1
Part One Part Two Part Three

News and Matches
Fixtures​

Website Preview
Commentators' Preview
Firebirds 1-5 Overs Firebirds 6-10 Overs Firebirds 11-15 Overs Firebirds 16-20 Overs
Knights 1-5 Overs Knights 6-10 Overs Knights 11-15 Overs Knights 16-20 Overs
Awards Ceremony
The Wellington Firebirds won by 12 runs

The Otago Volts won by 1 run

The Auckland Aces won by 44 runs
Captain's Blog after Cycle 1, Round 1

Preview
Knights' Innings Stags' Innings

Wellington Firebirds won by 9 wickets

Canterbury Wizards won by 70 runs

Wellington Firebirds won by 43 runs

Central Stags won by 8 wickets

Knights' Innings Volts' Innings


Wellington Firebirds won by 9 runs

POINTS TABLE

Live Scores Database
​

 

[Varun]

Good luck for your story!!!

 

[MaD]

Usually enjoy your stories, lookin good

 

[riz7khan12]

great start, i hope auckland win this season and more importantly i hope you finish the story

 

[AkshayS]

I hope Otago wins.
Good luck for this story.

 

[TheGreemSim]

Great Intro, and Northern Districts are destroying in real like so hopefully they destroy in the game.

 

[CG123]

Really good start there, will be going for the Aces, but at same time all the best for all your matches.
Your stories are all class, so lets hope you can finish it.

 

[just_cricket]

Northern Knights Preview

HRV Cup Campaign Preview: The Northern Knights

James Marshall (c)
Graeme Aldridge
Brent Arnel
Anton Devcich
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Daniel Flynn
Hamish Marshall
Bruce Martin
Peter McGlashan
Michael Parlane
Bradley Scott
Tim Southee
Daniel Vettori
BJ Watling
Kane Williamson
Joseph Yovich
​

Captain: James Marshall
Coach: Grant Bradburn
Overseas Player: Tillakaratne Dilshan
Home Grounds: Cobham Oval, Whangarei and Galle International Stadium, Galle

Last Year: 3rd

History: Only Ross Taylor brilliance kept the Knights out of the final of this event last year. They have usually been there or there abouts in the Twenty20 competition- they made the final in 2008 where they were again pipped by the Central Stags, so the boys from the North will be out for revenge this year, and should be a very determined side.

Strengths: An experienced bowling attack that is learned at containing their opposition. The likes of Brent Arnel, Bradley Scott and Tim Southee, who is possibly the best death bowler in the country, spring to mind. Spinners Kane Williamson and Anton Devcich are definitely more effective in the shorter forms of the games as well, while Dan Vettori will work his magic alongside them. Their batting is solid, with captain James Marshall, BJ Watling, Daniel Flynn and Williamson all technically efficient players, but their strengths lie in the longer versions of the game. The firepower will be provided by Dilshan, some inventive play from Vettori and some late-innings hitting from keeper Peter McGlashan and Devcich. ND also have probably the best cover and point fielding in the competition- Williamson, Marshall and Watling are, alongside Guptill from Auckland, the best of the bunch in the ring.

Weaknesses: Slight lack of firepower perhaps, if Dilshan does not perform on a given day the Knights may struggle to score at over 8 an over, although real depth in solid batting should allow the classical batsmen to develop and use some powerful strokes to clear the ropes. Southee will carry a heavy load if the pitch is unhelpful to spinners- while adept at containing, Arnel, Scott and Graeme Aldridge can go the distance if it is not their day.

Outlook: The Knights have a well balanced side- while at first glance they may lack some hitting power their depth should make up for any apparent weaknesses- they have a squad of 15 who could arguably compete as any combination.

Player to Watch: While Dilshan will look to light up the games with his trademark 'dilscoops', the MVP in last year's 50 over competition Kane Williamson might just be the stand out, having had a year to work on his expansive game with the bat, and his more than useful off spinners.

Young star Kane Williamson will be
worth keeping an eye on​

 

[AbhishekS]

Lovely update.
Awesome as always!

 

[Sartaj]

You can bet your bottom dollar that i'll be following this.
But,i'll be supporting Central Districts

 

[TheGreemSim]

Great update, Williamson to own hopefully

 

[AkshayS]

^nice one.
Really liked it.

 

[just_cricket]

Auckland Aces Preview

HRV Cup Campaign Preview: The Auckland Aces

Squad:
Gareth Hopkins (c)
Michael Bates
Ravi Bopara
Andrew De Boorder
Colin De Grandhomme
Martin Guptill
Ronnie Hira
Anaru Kitchen
Kyle Mills
Greg Morgan
Tarun Nethula
Lance Shaw
Scott Styris
Daryl Tuffey
Lou Vincent
Reece Young​

Captain: Gareth Hopkins
Coach: Paul Strang
Overseas Player: Ravi Bopara
Home Grounds: Eden Park, Auckland& County Ground, Chelmsford

Last Year: 2nd

History: The Aces have an unfortunate habit of losing finals- going down to the Central Stags in last year's final, having beaten them in every lead up game, and also lost the final to Canterbury in 2006. They lost the Men's 50 Over final in 2010, 2008 and 2002. However, this should make them only more determined to go one better this year and lift the trophy.

Strengths: Some real firepower in the top order, courtesy of the explosive Lou Vincent. Martin Guptil, Scott Styris, Ravi Bopara and Gareth Hopkins have all consistently represented their country in this format, while Reece Young, Anaru Kitchen and Collin De Grandomme can all be successful power hitters on their day. Daryl Tuffey is one of the leading T20 bowlers in the country, ably backed up by left arm paceman Michael Bates, who plied his trade well last season, and Styris is a useful option in the middle stages to take the pace off the ball.

Weaknesses: Lack of spin bowling options. In a game where spinners are integral the success of their side, Auckland really only have Ronnie Hira as a spin option- a skillfull, positive left arm spinner who is brave enough to flight the ball but is therefore more useful as a wicket taking option on the first class circuit. The same goes for attacking leg spinner Tarun Nethula, who is really only in the squad on the off chance that a real 'turner' is thrust upon the Aces somewhere.

Outlook: A well balanced side overall- their strength lies in their batting and bowling at the top of the innings. Chances are they will set some unchaseable scores over the course of the season, reaching in excess of 200 a few times, but they need to consistently turn out performances with the bat and work hard with the ball and in the field, to make their way to the final. But this year the Aces do look good to win it!

Player to watch: On the back of an exciting 100 in this format last season, as well as consistently scoring runs at a good strike rate in other games, Lou Vincent will be hard to keep quiet this summer.

Lou Vincent will be instrumental
for the Aces this year​

 

[Gaurav_7]

Excellent start to this! You're taking your time and delivering. That's the right way, I reckon. I'll be supporting Northern Knights in this. Good Luck for this mate.

 

[Varun]

Nice presentation!! Hope the league gets good way.