If you are a budding young cricketer living in the South Island, then this is the tournament you want to be competing in. Throughout its history, 41 cricketers that have competed in the tournament have gone on to represent either the WHITE FERNS or BLACKCAPS.
That impressive number includes the likes of current BLACKCAPS, Corey Anderson, Tom Latham, and Henry Nicholls. The list also features an impressive group of past players including Sir Richard Hadlee, Brendon McCullum, and current BLACKCAPS batting coach, Craig McMillian.
The tournament has teams competing from all areas of the South Island and it takes thirteen rounds to find the best ‘South Island Primary School team.’
This year’s tournament is the 54th instalment of the competition, and of course many records have been set along the way.
Craig Cumming set one of those records, and is also one of two former BLACKCAPS coaching a team at this year’s tournament, with Shayne O’Connor leading Otago Country, while Cumming is coaching Dunedin Metro. At the tournament 28 years ago, Cumming set the record for the most centuries at a single tournament, scoring three for South Canterbury.
However, Cumming’s record may be under threat, with three players scoring centuries during the opening two rounds of this year’s competition. The surname on the record, however, may not have to change, with Cumming’s son Jacob, scoring an unbeaten 106 for Dunedin Metro.
While also representing Dunedin Metro, Xavier Chisholm produced an impressive century, while Finn Hurley hit the top score of the tournament so far. Playing for Southland Country, Hurley hit an incredible 116, a knock which included thirteen fours, and a six.
If you’re interested in keeping track of the tournament, make sure you head to CricHQ.com
