Napier's Nelson Park will see a "battle of the Bays" from 10.30am tomorrow as the well-travelled Hawke Cup goes on the line for the final time this season.
It's also the first time this summer that the historic competition has ventured to the North Island — Hawke's Bay having wrested the coveted silverware from North Otago, who had wrested it from Buller, who had famously wrested it from Canterbury Country in a lively 2015/16 season.
Hawke's Bay now faces Zone 1 winners Bay of Plenty in their opening defence, clearly hoping to be become the first defender to break this summer's pattern and successfully lock away the Cup for the winter.
Plotting their downfall is a strong and experienced Bay of Plenty side out to reclaim the prize they last held just two years ago.
The two Districts already have significant history between them.
Bay of Plenty's squad includes SKYCITY Northern Knights Brett Hampton, Jono Boult and Joe Carter, as well as former New Zealand Under-19s representative Sean Davey. The challengers are captained by Peter Drysdale — who helped lead the team through its most recent era, which lasted from 23 January 2013 to 9 March 2014; and they are coached by recently retired Knights veteran Graeme Aldridge.
Hawke's Bay's most recent successful defence was meanwhile in the 2009/10 season. The defenders will front a squad including Devon Hotel Central Stag Indika Senarathne and New Zealand Under-19s allrounder Christian Leopard. However, they are without the services of bowling trio Ajaz Patel, Kurt Richards and Blair Tickner who are all on duty with the Stags in the Plunket Shield clash at Eden Park.
• The historic Hawke Cup is the major competition for New Zealand's District Associations
• Presented by Lord Hawke in 1910, it is among the oldest cricket trophies still contested in New Zealand
• To win the Hawke Cup, challengers must beat the holders on their home ground
All set for Hawke Cup battle of the Bays
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