Burger King Red Star are battling to field a full-strength team for tomorrow’s must-win Coastal Challenge game with Kapiti Old Boys in Paraparaumu.
The odds of Wairarapa’s sole team progressing to the semifinals in the competition involving club teams from Horowhenua-Kapiti and Whanganui are slim after their two home games were abandoned, but their prospects have taken a bigger hit with some key players unavailable.
Captain Jeremy Anderson is out for the game, and hard-hitting opener Robbie Anderson is a doubtful starter and all-rounders Jake Jonas and Gus Borren have returned to university in Christchurch.
The starting XI was still to be decided yesterday, but Jeremy Anderson was hopeful that Red Star would still field a useful side.
Veteran medium pacer Pete Sigversten will captain the side, and there will be a good sprinkling of Wairarapa representatives such as in-form wicketkeeper Nathan Elliott, promising middle order bat Mark Steventon, medium-fast bowler Ethan Childs, and left-arm spinner Quinn Childs.
The strength in the Kapiti Old Boys lineup lies in their seam bowling attack led by Horowhenua-Kapiti reps Carter Andrews and Zack Benton, while Jayden Rose-Miles is a dangerous batter ideally suited to the 50-over game.
The game is a must-win for both sides, whose only points have come from two abandoned games.
