The Barbarians will be without key players for tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash against Inspire Living Greytown at Greytown.
All-rounder Ethan Childs remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, while brothers Jack and Hugo Wakeling have a family commitment. The loss of Jack Wakeling is the biggest blow, as he has been a useful performer with bat and ball.
Much responsibility will again fall on captain Quinn Childs, who starred with 94 and took 3–12 in their winning draw over Burger King Red Star last Saturday.
Greytown have shown they are difficult to beat on their home pitch. Although there are no superstars, the southerners have handy batters in Hayden Ray, Alastair ‘Tora’ Boyne, and Rickey Dey in the top-middle order to post a good total, while Michael Courtman has been a revelation in the lower order, smashing quick runs to win their first two matches.
Courtman is also a threat with the ball, having picked up six wickets with his medium-pace bowling. Tony Russo and Byron Hegglin have also relished bowling on their home pitch and could be a handful for the opposition batters.
Defending champions Red Star desperately need a good haul of points over traditional foes Lansdowne to keep their hopes of a third consecutive title alive.
However, they will be without some key players for tomorrow’s clash at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval, most notably Wairarapa captain and opener Robbie Anderson, who is away.
There is still good batting depth, though, with in-form captain Jeremy Anderson and rep players Mark Steventon and Nathan Elliott. The return of veteran medium-slow bowler Pete Sigvertsen is a boost for the bowling attack.
Both games will get underway at 12 midday.
