Olivia Roseingrave has recovered from a knee injury and will be a key bowler for the Korus. PHOTOS/FILE
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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Southey Sayer Wairarapa Korus captain Melissa Hansen is confident ahead of the opening round of the Shrimpton Trophy on Sunday.
The Korus take on defending champions Hawke’s Bay at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval, and Hansen said there is the depth in the squad to be major contenders in the 40-over championship, which has been extended to two full rounds.
“Our chances are pretty good I think,” the 24-year-old Central Hinds allrounder said.
“Obviously when the Hinds are unavailable, it gives a greater opportunity for our younger players, and the other district teams will be in the same boat, but I think we’ve got more depth than some of the other districts,” she said.
“Georgia [Atkinson] has gone to play for Manawatu, so that’s a bit of a loss for us. But it gives another opportunity for the young ones to step up such as Emma McLeod.
“Over the past couple of years, she [McLeod] has been blooded into the team and had a really good season last year so it’s exciting for her. Olivia Clark is another young one who can hold her own at that level.
“It’s good for them to have more game time as well with a double round of Shrimpton Trophy.”
Kate Sims is another key player missing for the Korus, having moved to Christchurch, and been picked up by the Canterbury Magicians.
“She went down there to university and got a Lincoln scholarship. She’s been doing a lot of training they’ve brought into the Canterbury environment, and I see on Instagram she’s got a playing number and she’s been introduced as their new Magician,” Hansen said.
“It will be interesting to see if she gets some game time and if she does, we wish her luck because we’re quite proud of our local players representing the various first-class teams.”
Hansen will open the batting and bowling for the Korus, but there is plenty of quality throughout the team in both departments.
Fellow Hinds allrounder Monique Rees is also likely to carry a heavy bowling workload and will bat in the top order.
Otherwise, the batting line-up is strong, with depth right through the order, and the bowling attack boasts six seamers and four spinners.
Hawke’s Bay’s biggest threats could come from two former Korus – Esther Lanser and Kerry Tomlinson – and White Ferns pace bowler Rosemary Mair who the Women’s Big Bash in Australia.
While Lanser and Tomlinson will bring experience to Hawke’s Bay, Hansen is uncertain about the rest of the team.
“Those two players have been around for a long time – they won’t be easy to get out and will be using it as a good warm-up for the Hinds round next week.”
“They are a couple of key players, but we have just to chip away and get them out or restrict them, but I’m not sure about some of the younger players, because there haven’t been any preseason games.”
Regardless of who the visitors name in their side, Hansen said the Korus must back themselves.
“First game of the season and on grass, and a few of us haven’t played much on grass.
There’s still going to be a bit of rustiness from both teams, but I’m confident and excited to get out there for our first proper game.”
Hansen was also looking forward to the new four-team Central Districts franchise league, in which she will play with the Wairarapa-based Tararua Kotahi.
“It’s a good concept, especially for some of those players in the Hinds, or the next level down who aren’t playing in the Shrimpton Trophy like the Nelson players.”
“The Tararua Kotahi have [Central Hinds captain] Anlo van Deventer in our team, and it’s good for her to come back home and play with some of the younger girls. It should be quite exciting, and it’s just a couple of weekends.”
Wairarapa Korus to play Hawke’s Bay
Melissa Hansen [captain], Gemma Sims, Emma McLeod, Monique Rees, Elizabeth Cohr, Ocean Bartlett, Caitlin Elliott, Olivia Clark, Jessica Roseingrave, Hattie Vincent, Olivia Roseingrave, Ella Southey.
Match starts at 11am, Queen Elizabeth Park Oval.
