Quinn Childs’ left-arm spin will be useful on the untried Greytown pitch. PHOTO/FILE
And Red Star seeking to extend unbeaten run
CHRIS COGDALE
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United captain Jaco Vorster is in a buoyant mood with his team at full strength for the first time this season for today’s Coastal Challenge match with Weraroa at Greytown.
Representative players John McKenzie, and the Childs twins, Ethan, and Quinn, have returned from university, will add depth to the talented squad.
McKenzie will open the batting with the experienced Jared van Deventer, while Ethan Childs will open the bowling and bat in the middle order. Quinn Childs will play a big role with his accurate left-arm spin on the untested Greytown pitch, which is being used for the first time this season.
Vorster is just pleased to be finally playing on grass after their previous Coastal Challenge game, a loss to Paraparaumu, was played on an artificial pitch.
“I spoke to Seth Rance, and he knows a lot more about it than I do, but he said the pitch was looking good and it should be fine,” he said.
United batted poorly in their loss to Paraparaumu, with the side all out for 170 in 39.4 overs.
Vorster, who led the way with a typically aggressive 84 against Paraparaumu, said it’s important to bat for the entire 50 overs.
“The batting has been lacking, but if we are patient and can bat the 50 overs, we will set a good total, and there’s no way they can chase that down with our bowling attack.”
Vorster knows little about Weraroa, who have had a tie and a loss in their two games in their centennial season, but he expected a strong showing from the Levin club.
“They don’t have all the stars of Levin Old Boys, but they are a very consistent team. I’m expecting a really tough game.”
One player United will need to be wary of is medium-fast bowler Huka Kahu, who has claimed 10 wickets for just 81 runs in the first two games, including 6-34 against Whanganui Collegiate.
Coastal Challenge frontrunners Burger King Red Star will field their strongest team in their game against Whanganui Collegiate at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval.
Wairarapa rep Robbie Anderson will open the batting along with Paddy Gluck or wicketkeeper Nathan Elliott, with the experienced Jeremy Anderson, and Brock Price, who will play his final match for the club before heading to Australia next week, in the middle order.
Nathan Chaney, captain Peter Sigvertsen, Stefan Hook, Roshan Sugathan, and Sean Wakelin are also capable of scoring big runs in the middle to lower order.
Hook, Sigvertsen, Jacob Osborne, and Wakelin make up the seam bowling attack, while Sugathan, and Jeremy Anderson provide the spin bowling options.
Sigvertsen is uncertain what Collegiate will bring, but he anticipated a tough game.
“I think it was their captain [Shaun O’Leary] who scored 173 against Whanganui Marist in a losing effort, but they’ve scored over 200 in most of their games, so they’ve definitely been in the runs. We have to be very wary of that,” he said.
“Their bowling last year was quite handy when we played them, and I would say they would have improved, so they’re a side we can’t take lightly, especially because they’re one place behind us on the table.”
Sigvertsen is confident the joint leaders can extend their unbeaten start to the season, and was hopeful of playing on the Oval, despite heavy rain early in the week.
“Ideally, we can still be on the Oval, but I don’t know what state that field is in at the moment. It was good that we put the cover on the pitch at the end of the rep game, so hopefully, it’s okay.”
