Under-19 star, Quinn Childs. PHOTOS/FILE
CRICKET
GRANT HARDING
[email protected]
The Wairarapa team to take on Horowhenua-Kapiti in the opening round of the two-day Furlong Cup match starting today, features three new caps.
Rathkeale College batsman Gus Borren, United all-rounder Jaco Vorster and wicketkeeper Patrick Gluck are part of a 12-man squad which is a mixture of experience and youth, coach Neil Perry said.
Borren, who is still eligible for Under-17 cricket, is averaging more than 60 in club cricket. While he is also a handy medium-pace bowler, Perry said his focus at senior representative level would be on batting.
“He’s worked hard over the winter and come on in leaps and bounds,” Perry said.
“His technique has improved, he has an excellent attitude and he’s grown as a person and young cricketer. He’s an excellent fielder.
“He is a player of the future and deserves an opportunity.”
Having transferred from Lansdowne to United this year, Vorster will bring his competitive “South African edge” to the middle, Perry said.
“He got back into playing cricket last year. He’s a solid bat who hits the ball hard, and as a medium pacer, he hits the deck hard.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman Gluck transferred from Wellington to Wairarapa this year and is a teacher and cricket co-ordinator/player at Rathkeale College.
Central Districts A representative Daniel Ingham retains the captaincy from last season, but Seth Rance is unavailable due to Black Caps duty.
Ingham is part of a battery of medium-quick and medium-pace bowlers, backed up by the spin twins, left arm orthodox Quinn Childs and Robbie Spears.
Childs, whose twin brother Ethan will open the bowling, last season became the province’s first CD Under-19 representative for several seasons.
“Quinn might be young but he feels like a stalwart of the side,” Perry said.
The Childs twins’ father, Mark, was unavailable due to a masters tournament in Australia.
Alongside Ingham, other experienced players include former captain Gordon Reisima, Jared Watt, Spears and Liam Burling, just back from Waikato University.
Other youngsters included are John McKenzie and Jack Forrester.
Perry, who is in his fourth season with the rep team, said, “We’re really excited about this season.
“In the past it has been a struggle at times to get a side together. But last year we started having to leave people out who we would normally have played, and this season we have a similar situation.
“I have told those not selected to keep working hard and go out this weekend and put in a good performance in the club competition.”
The absence of the previous season’s star players, batsman Brock Price and fast bowler Stefan Hook-Sporry would be felt, but Perry is confident if the team play to their ability they will get a positive result this weekend.
The Furlong Cup is contested among the North Island’s Central Districts affiliated unions with the winner progressing to a challenge for the Hawke Cup, the symbol of supremacy for minor cricket unions.
This weekend’s match starts at 10.30am today at QE2 Park, and continues tomorrow, with 112 overs to be bowled each day.
