20-year-old Rachin Ravindra will make his Ford Trophy debut when the Wellington Firebirds travel South to take-on the Otago Volts in Queenstown tomorrow.
The young allrounder missed the entire Firebird’s Ford Trophy campaign last year while away with the New Zealand A squad on tour of the UAE and was unavailable for the competition opener against the Auckland Aces on Sunday due to New Zealand A duty against England.
Ravindra is rated highly by New Zealand Cricket – he was called up to the New Zealand A squad before even playing a domestic match for the Firebirds last season and has so far proven himself more than capable with bat and ball at domestic level.
Ravindra’s inclusion is one of two changes made to the squad by Firebirds head coach Glenn Pocknall.
Ravindra comes in at the top of the order for Jakob Bhula and Jimmy Neesham also returns from New Zealand A duty as fast bowler Ben Sears drops out.
Allrounder Jamie Gibson retains his place after his well-made 64 against Auckland on Sunday, while Lauchie Johns continues behind the stumps in the absence of Tom Blundell who is part of the BLACKCAPS Test squad to face England and Australia.
Michael Bracewell will captain the team again as regular white-ball captain Hamish Bennett continues to recover from injury.
Pocknall was full of optimism following his side’s first round loss to Auckland on Sunday.
“There are obviously plenty of improvements to make from the weekend,” he said.
“But there are also a lot of positives that we can carry through to the match in Queenstown tomorrow.
“We’ve worked hard on what needs to change in the short turnaround, but the short turnaround is also a real positive because it means we can get back out there make those improvements straight away.
“We’re excited to bring Rachin back into the team to make his Ford Trophy debut,” he added.
“He brings versatility with bat and ball and I’m sure he’ll be raring to go after coming up against some pretty talented players against England last week.”
Five of the last seven Ford Trophy clashes between the Otago Volts and Wellington Firebirds have been won by the Firebirds on the day, including their most recent meeting – the Ford Trophy final in December 2018.
John Davies Oval, known for its stunning Remarkables backdrop, will host its first domestic cricket match since January 2015.
Play gets underway from 11.00am in Queenstown – spectator entry is free.
Wellington Firebirds squad | Ford Trophy | Round Two
Michael Bracewell (Eastern Suburbs) (C)
Devon Conway (VUWCC)
Andrew Fletcher (Onslow)
Jamie Gibson (Eastern Suburbs)
Lauchie Johns (Eastern Suburbs)
Iain McPeake (Hutt District)
Jimmy Neesham (Hutt District)
Ollie Newton (Upper Hutt)
Malcolm Nofal (VUWCC)
Jeetan Patel (Eastern Suburbs)
Rachin Ravindra (Hutt District)
Logan Van Beek (Taita)
Ford Trophy Round Two
Otago Volts v Wellington Firebirds
Thursday November 21, 11.00am
Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown
Article added: Wednesday 20 November 2019
