A riveting season of Hawke Cup cricket springs back into life tomorrow at Oamaru's Milner Park, home base of new holders North Otago.
The three-day match pits North Otago against challengers Hawke's Bay, who set off on their southern venture today.
It will be a maiden cricket voyage to Oamaru for all members of a strong squad that includes Devon Hotel Central Stags Indika Senarathne, Ajaz Patel and Kurt Richards (the latter pair fresh from beating the Firebirds in the most recent round of Plunket Shield) and promising allrounder Christian Leopard — one of the strongest performers on the recent New Zealand Under 19s tour of Dubai and Bangladesh.
Christian Leopard
Hawke's Bay won the right to a challenge by claiming provincial supremacy within Zone Two, which also takes in Wairarapa, Wanganui, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatu and Taranaki.
The challenge is the first since North Otago, the second smallest Minor Association in New Zealand cricket, claimed the Hawke Cup off Buller a fortnight ago.
However, North Otago would appear to have an ace up their sleeve in South African bowler Francois Mostert, the hero of their own raid in Westport. The South African allrounder took 13 for 53 in the successful challenge, the second best figures in North Otago history.
Former New Zealand Cricket captain and legend John R. Reid holds the honours with 13 for 51 against Ashburton County in 1958. Read more about Mostert here.
The winner of the impending battle in Oamaru will then face a challenge from the winners of Zone One, Bay of Plenty, in March, in order to determine who will lock away the Hawke Cup for the season.
The historic Hawke Cup is the major competition for New Zealand's District Associations. To win the Hawke Cup, challengers must beat the holders on their home ground.
Livescoring: blackcaps.co.nz from 10.30am
