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

[riz7khan12]

:bananaauckland aces yay:banana2

 

[Varun]

:bananaauckland aces yay:banana2

That made me smile. :laugh

 

[CG123]

Nice preview there.
You could of given us a better overseas player than Ravi Bopara, again...
Spelling mistake in History section, "20010".
Hopefully Vincent will prove the NZ selectors wrong again, and our BC's Gups, Scotty, Mills, Hoppy, and Tuff will lead the way.
Also hope De Grandhomme can make an impact, as he's one of the biggest hitters in the game.

 

[just_cricket]

Central Stags Preview

HRV Cup Campaign Preview: The Central Stags

Squad:
Jamie How (c)
Doug Bracewell
Brendon Diamanti
Peter Ingram
Michael Mason
Graeme Napier
Kieran Noema-Barnett
Jacob Oram
Tim Paine
Brad Patton
Seth Rance
Matthew Sinclair
Ross Taylor
Ewen Thomson
Tim Weston
George Worker​

Captain: Jamie How
Coach: Dermot Reeve
Overseas Player: Tim Paine
Home Grounds: Westpac Stadium, Wellington and Bellerive Oval, Hobart


Last Year: 1st

History: Having won the tournament twice in the last three years, no side looks more formidable than the Stags. They have proven they have what it takes to consistently succeed in this format. Having been probably the strongest contenders in all three formats over the last decade, this year could belong to them as well...

Strengths: Ross Taylor. The man, perhaps alongside Brendon McCullum, is the most important batsman in the competition- he has the ability to take games away from his opposition in a matter of overs- he scored a hundred during CD's successful campaign in 2008, and led the Stags to victory in 2010, firstly by powering them to final, and then top scoring in it. Peter Ingram and Jamie How are also formidable in the top order- How might just be the surprise package of the tournament. Batting allrounders Jacob Oram and Kieran Noema-Barnett were instrumental in the Stags' success last year, also. The bowling will be led by Graeme Napier- formerly their overseas player, now holds a New Zealand passport- who is deceivingly one of the quickest bowlers in New Zealand with a nasty knack of hitting batsmen's heads. Michael Mason is also a strong limited overs bowler at domestic level.

Weaknesses: Part timer George Worker provides CD's only spin option- a useful contributor he is, but compared with the other side's spinners, he may be the chink in the Stags' armour their opposition look to target. Also, the Stags will not host any games in their true home- as their main grounds (McLean Park in Napier and Pukekura Park, New Plymouth) are both being renovated in preparation for possible 2015 World Cup games.

Outlook: Following on from their success last season, the Stags look to have an almost unchanged squad to do the job this season- only bolstered by overseas player Tim Paine, who will take the gloves and most likely bat in the top 3. Their batting is amongst the best in the cup, while their pace bowling stocks are also up there with the best. They know how to win, and will be looking for more of the same this year.

Player to Watch: If you're into big hitting, look no further than the record holder for sixes in T20s, Ross Taylor. Equally as exciting can be devastating pace that makes even the most skillful batsmen look dumbfounded- Graeme Napier is the man in that department- you wouldn't bet against him breaking another batsman's helmet this year.

The successful, exciting combination for the
Stags last year- Ross Taylor and Graeme Napier
will be looking for more of the same for 2011​

 

[riz7khan12]

TEAM PIG Supporting Scotty!!

 

[Varun]

Nice Presentation! Its quite hard to find such strengths and weaknesses. Good job man!

 

[Highlander999]

I know sod all about NZ domestic cricket so will this should be quite a learning curve for me. Hopefully Napier will shine though

Love your work mate am a big fan of yours, so will be following this

 

[CG123]

Why isn't Graeme Napier counted as an Overseas Player???

 

[just_cricket]

The bowling will be led by Graeme Napier- formerly their overseas player, now holds a New Zealand passport- who is deceivingly one of the quickest bowlers in New Zealand with a nasty knack of hitting batsmen's heads.

He has stated he has intention to play cricket for New Zealand in T20s as he sees no future for England. Nowadays if one states their intention to do this and takes steps towards becoming a New Zealand citizen that is good enough.

 

[Mihir Doshi]

This story is going great!! KIU

 

[BKB1991]

Looks Pretty good. Its nice to see a domestic competition after a long time

 

[AkshayS]

nice presentation dude, Squad looking good.
Keep It up.

 

[just_cricket]

Wellington Firebirds Preview

HRV Cup Campaign Preview: The Wellington Firebirds​

Squad:
Jeetan Patel (c)
Harry Boam
Dewayne Bowden
Grant Elliott
James Franklin
Mark Gillespie
Paul Hitchcock
Andrew McKay
Cameron Merchant
Chris Nevin
Neal Parlane
Jesse Ryder
Robbie Schaw
Owais Shah
Malaesaili Tugaga
Luke Woodcock
​

Wellington Firebirds HRV Cup Campaign Preview:
Captain: Jeetan Patel
Coach: Anthony Stuart
Overseas Player: Owais Shah
Home Grounds: Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve, Wellington and Lord's, London

Last Years: 6th

History: The Firebirds have never really threatened in the T20 format- always a strong four day unit, they have however struggled to put any sort of campaign together in this format- as their last year's placing of 6th shows. You have to look back to 2001 to when they last won a limited overs competition. But 10 years on, despite all this, 2011 could just be their year!

Strengths: They have some strong hitters of the ball- Jesse Ryder (absent from last year's campaign) returns to the side and gives it some strikepower, while Neal Parlane was one of the outstanding batsmen in the HRV Cup last year. Overseas player Owais Shah is also a very skillful exponent of the T20 game. Their captain Jeetan Patel is one of the leading spinners in New Zealand, and James Franklin has become a genuine allrounder in this format.

Weaknesses: Their pace bowling options are thin, with only Andy McKay and perhaps Mark Gillespie providing any real pace- they have plenty of hittable medium pacers, such as Franklin, Ryder, Grant Elliott and Dewayne Bowden, who nonetheless may be craftier than we think, if they have good seasons. Unfortunately they also have a reputation of being rather sluggish in the field, although the players who give this impression- Ryder and Parlane- are actually more athletic then you would first think, despite their weight.

Outlook: The Firebirds are due some success in this format- an injury ravaged side failed to perform last year, but they gain three former Black Caps in Ryder, Elliott and Gillespie who will give their squad depth. Like any side in this competition, on their best day they will be unbeatable.

Player to watch: Jesse Ryder will be determined to make up for lost time, and like anything Jesse does, it won't be done quietly!

Jesse Ryer will be a key man for the Firebirds ​

 

[Varun]

Good to see Owais Shah there, Jesse is going to be a tough competition too.

 

[Aussie Team]

Jeetan Patel as Captain...