Wellington Firebirds squad for season opener

Cricket Wellington Media Release

Monday 8 November 2010

Wellington Firebirds squad for Plunket Shield season opener

The Wellington Firebirds squad to play the Central Stags in the first round of the 2010/11 Plunket Shield at Nelson Park in Napier from 9-12 November is:

 
Grant Elliott (captain)

Joe Austin Smellie

Matthew Bell

Josh Brodie

Lee Edwards

James Franklin

Tipene Friday

Andrew Lamb

Cameron Merchant

Neal Parlane

Stewart Rhodes

Luke Woodcock

Unavailable due to injury: Dewayne Bowden (quad), Leighton Burtt (achilles), Mark Gillespie (thigh), Malaesaili Tugaga (shoulder).

The Firebirds have named an exciting squad combining youth and experience to play the Central Stags in the first match of the season.

Grant Elliott will captain the side that features fellow BLACKCAPS and New Zealand A internationals Matthew Bell, Josh Brodie, James Franklin and Luke Woodcock, as well as experienced batsman Neal Parlane.

Should he be selected in the playing XI, Tipene Friday will make his Wellington Firebirds and first-class debut.
 
Fast bowler Friday has progressed through the Cricket Wellington age-grade and representative ranks and has the attributes to succeed at first-class level says Head Coach Anthony Stuart.

“Injuries to other players have provided an opportunity for Tipene to come in and play for us.”

“Tipene’s very tall, hits the deck hard and if selected in the playing XI will add variety to our attack and cause the CD batsmen some problems.”

“Overall our experience is in our batting,” adds Stuart. “ If we bat well we’ll give our attack the opportunity to take 20 wickets and win the game, which is what we’re after first up.”

The Firebirds will be hoping to reverse their two defeats to the Stags in the Plunket Shield last season, Central winning by 9 wickets at the Bain Reserve in December and again at McLean Park in Napier by 7 wickets in March.

Wellington will be playing for their 15th Plunket Shield title this season, which was played for last summer for the first time since 1974/75. Their most recent domestic first-class championship win was in 2003/04.

This week’s Plunket Shield match against the Stags is the first of three throughout November before the domestic season turns to coloured clothing and the HRV Cup in December. The Firebirds host the Northern Knights at the Basin Reserve from 16-19 November and then the Otago Volts from 23-26 November.

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