Melissa Hansen is hopeful of making the Central Hinds for the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final today. PHOTO/FILE
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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Wairarapa Korus all-rounder Melissa Hansen is hoping her good form from last weekend will be enough for her to make the Central Hinds’ XI for today’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final.
Hansen has been named in a 13-strong squad for the 50-over final to be played against the Auckland Hearts at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
Hansen impressed when opening the bowling in both big wins over the Otago Sparks in Palmerston North last weekend. On Saturday, she snared 2-15 off seven overs, and on Sunday the right arm medium fast bowler failed to take a wicket but her consistent line and length saw her concede just 11 runs off six overs.
Hansen is very happy with her form and is confident she can do the job if she makes the team.
“I have a lot of confidence. I’ve been bowling well for the Korus and in club cricket in Manawatu, and in training with [Wairarapa men’s coach] Neil Perry.”
“My selection depends on the makeup of the team that [coach Jamie Watkins] wants to put out on the field,” she said.
“Hannah [Rowe] and Rosie [Mair] will come back into the team after returning from the White Ferns, and it will be a toss-up between three of us, depending if he wants an extra seamer or spinner in the side”.
Hansen is also confident the Hinds have the team to win the trophy, regarded as the pinnacle of New Zealand domestic women’s cricket.
“Other teams have started to treat us with a bit of respect. Although we’ve struggled in recent years, we’re now starting to put it together, and we have a talented young squad.”
The Hearts won the first of the two encounters between the teams in January. The second match was washed out.
Captain Anlo van Deventer, fresh off a record breaking 169 not out last weekend, batsman Kerry Tomlinson, and bowlers Monique Rees and Georgia Atkinson are other Korus players named in the squad. Regular squad member Esther Lanser is unavailable.
BIDWILL CUP
The top two teams, Marist Old Boys and Lansdowne, will meet in the third round of the Bidwill Cup at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval today.
Marist Old Boys took a surprise lead in the championship after a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over the Red Star 2nds last weekend. Lansdowne started their campaign with a 10-wicket thrashing of Greytown.
Lansdowne are laden with players with representative experience and are entitled to favouritism.
The likes of Jaco Vorster, Jack Forrester and veteran Robbie Speers have been in good touch with the bat and are sure to test the Marist Old Boys bowlers, who lack the experience of playing at this level.
Marist Old Boys impressed in last weekend’s victory, however they will find the Lansdowne team a completely different proposition.
Red Star and Greytown will meet in the other fixture at Greytown.
Again, this is an established premier grade side, Red Star, up against a team who have stepped up from the Open grade.
Red Star hardly set the Coastal Challenge alight, managing only one win in finishing bottom of the table, and failed to achieve an outright victory over their second team last weekend, however they should be too good.
Opening batsman Robbie Anderson has been in good form scoring an unbeaten century two weeks ago, while Jared Watt and Pete Sigvertsen are two of the region’s most consistent bowlers.
