Wellington Firebirds squad to play Northern Knights

Wellington Firebirds squad to play Northern Knights in One-Day competition

The Wellington Firebirds squad to play the Northern Knights in the seventh round of the 2010/11 domestic One-Day competition at the Basin Reserve on Sunday 30 January is:

Grant Elliott (captain)
Joe Austin-Smellie
Harry Boam
Dewayne Bowden
James Franklin
Mark Gillespie
Mark Houghton
Andy McKay
Cameron Merchant
Stephen Murdoch
Stewart Rhodes
Jesse Ryder

There are four changes to the Wellington Firebirds squad that played the Canterbury Wizards on Thursday.

Luke Woodcock has joined the New Zealand team for today’s National Bank Series One Day International against Pakistan in Christchurch.

Woodcock’s absence has been offset by the return from the BLACKCAPS squad of top order batsmen Jesse Ryder and James Franklin, with Neal Parlane dropping out.

In two other changes, Mark Houghton replaces Jeetan Patel and Stephen Murdoch has comes in for Marc Calkin.

Murdoch joins the Firebirds squad from the Wellington U23s where he has scored heavily in the National Tournament at Lincoln this week.

Wellington Firebirds Head Coach Anthony Stuart said Murdoch thoroughly deserves the chance to translate his current form on to the domestic stage:

“It’s a great opportunity for him. He’s made the most of his week with the Wellington U23s, scoring over 450 runs in three innings including his outstanding double century in the 50-over match against Auckland on Friday.”

“We are looking for guys in the top order to score big runs and he’s done that so he gets his chance.”

Current form sees senior players Jeetan Patel and Neal Parlane left out of the Firebirds squad.

“It’s tough on Jeetan to be left out, but it comes down to performance and at present we feel he’s not bowling as well as we need him to in giving us the best chance of winning games.”

“Jeetan’s going to be a key player for us in the four-day games coming up and this is an opportunity for him to refocus and take some time to prepare for these.”

“The batsmen in the top order are accountable for their actions. Neal has been selected to score runs but unfortunately hasn’t delivered the volume and consistency required. With Jesse Ryder and James Franklin coming back from international duty he’s the player that misses out.”

Match Information:

Men’s Domestic One-Day Competition round 7 (of 8)
Basin Reserve, Sunday 30 January from 11.00am
Gates open at 10.00am. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Wellington v Northern – One-Day information: Head to head:
Played 55, won 33, lost 21, no result 1

First met:
15 December 1974, Basin Reserve, Win to Wellington by 16 runs.

2009/10 results: 28 December 2009 at Hamilton. Win to Wellington by 22 runs (D/L)

3 February 2010 at Wellington. Win to Northern by 7 wickets

Last met:

16 January 2011 at Whangarei. Win to Wellington by 6 runs

Wellington v Northern Districts one-day records

Wellington highest total: 296, at Wellington 2005/06

Northern Districts lowest total: 80, at Wellington 1982/83

Wellington best batting: 147, Bruce Edgar, Gisborne 1981/82

Wellington best bowling: Andrew Penn, 7 for 28 (8 overs), Mt Maunganui 2000/01

ends

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