The inaugural winners of the national over-50 cricket competition, the Wellington-Tasman Firehawks, have rung the changes as they seek to defend their Inter-Provincial title in Auckland in January.

There are eight new caps in the 14 strong squad which will compete in the tournament at Cornwall Park in Auckland from January 7th-11th.

The side will again be led by former BLACKCAP Richard Petrie who was also a member of the New Zealand over-50 side which competed at the COVID-19 shortened World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.

The new caps include former Wellington and Otago first-class player Scott McHardy who will vice-captain the side.

The sole Tasman region newcomer is Blenheim batsman Greg Stretch, who represented Marlborough for nearly 30 years.

Stretch joins Nelson wicketkeeper-batsman Mason Robinson, who was also a member of the Grey Caps side which competed at the World Cup in Capetown,  and Jason Kilworth as the other Tasman representatives in the side.

Robinson and Kilworth were both members of last year's Firehawks side.

The seven other newcomers are all from Wellington - pace bowler Simon Clark (North City),  wicketkeeper/batsman Brent Murray and off-spinner Nav Herath (Petone-Riverside), batsman Hamish French (Wanderers), pace bowler Tim Horne (Onslow) and batsman Scott Pender (Easts).

"The fact that over half the side has changed in the space of a year is not about age catching up with our players - far from it.  It shows just how much the Over-50 side of the game has developed in the space of a year," said Petrie.

"We had over 30 players nominated for selection and the wider squad has been training throughout winter - these guys are committed!"

The Firehawks had trial games against local club sides and matches in Hawkes Bay and Christchurch before the squad was finally selected.

"The standard is certainly up on last year.  We had a very difficult job selecting the side and it was tough telling guys who paved the way for our success last year that they had missed out this time around."

Petrie is confident the side can repeat its success from last year.

"We will no doubt have a target on our back this time - we surprised a few people last year in Christchurch.  But once again we have a very well-balanced side with guys who have a particular set of skills and know what they need to do to win."

Also back from last year's side are New Zealand over-50 international Stephen Hewson and fellow Hutt District player and medium pacer David Goldingham along with Scott McCallum (Easts).

Four provincial sides will compete at the national tournament, Auckland, Wellington-Tasman, Districts (combined Central and Northern Districts) and Canterbury-Otago.

Wellington-Tasman Firehawks squad:

Richard Petrie (captain)
Scott McHardy (vice-captain)
Mason Robinson
Greg Stretch
Hamish French,
Brent Murray
Scott Pender
Jason Kilworth
Nav Herath
Tim Horne
David Goldingham
Stephen Hewson
Scott McCallum
Simon Clark

Article added: Thursday 05 November 2020