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2013/14 SUMMER OF CRICKET

CONTENTS

Managing editor: Oliver lee

editor: MArGOT BUTCHer

PHotograPHY: photosport.co.nzProoFreading: eliSe McDOWell

deSign / LaYoUt: ONTiMe ASSOCiATeS liMiTeD

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CoPYrigHt: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited. diSCLaiMer: The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine.

YOUR FREE GUIDE TO THE ANZ INTERNATIONAL SERIES, PLAYER PROFILES / FIXTURE DATES / DOMESTIC CRICKET AND MOre…

4 SeASON PrevieWWhy the BLACKCAPS have a great challenge in store in this summer’s ANZ International Series.

6 BlACKCAPS reGrOUPThe jostling for Cricket World Cup positions begins.

9 MeeT iSH SODHiWhy everyone’s talking about this young leg-spinner.

10 & 13 ONeS TO WATCH – WeST iNDieSMeet the stars of one of the most charismatic teams in world cricket.

14 iNTerNATiONAl SeASON FiXTUreSAll the dates and venues for the BLACKCAPS’ matches at your fingertips.

16 -18 BlACKCAPS PlAYer PrOFileSAAAAGet the skinny on your favourite BLACKCAPS.

21 ANZ GrANT SCHeMeFind out how applying for an ANZ Cricket Grant can help you this summer, plus exclusive benefits for spectators from ANZ.

22 & 23 ASHeS SerieS & FiXTUreSAustralia hosts England as the old foes do battle once more for the urn.

24 STAT ATTACKThe highest, the lowest, the best of the best: stats reveal the history between New Zealand, India and the West Indies.

25 MAiN COUrSe: iNDiAA visit by the world’s top all-round team is a cricket-lover’s treat.

26 eYeS ON THe STArS: iNDiADiscover the amazing stories behind some of India’s top cricketers.

28 & 29 DOMeSTiC CriCKeTFind out what’s on in the HRV Twenty20, Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield.

30 HAve-A-GO CriCKeT WiTH ACTivePOSTHow ActivePost is encouraging future generations of BLACKCAPS and White Ferns with fun kids’ programmes.

anzcricketworld.co.nz04

FIRST uP in the ANZ Interna-tional Series it’s the wonderful West Indies, the team that

marries attitude with flair and brazen hitting with big, athletic fast bowlers. The first ANZ Test begins in Dunedin this week and is the opening tussle in a contest that takes us through to mid-January.

The BLACKCAPS will meet the “Windies” in a full Series of three ANZ Test matches, with the second and third Tests hosted by Welling-ton and Hamilton, respectively – two of New Zealand’s most attrac-tive, beloved venues for watching our men in white up close. Then it’s straight into a high-energy string of five ANZ One-Day Inter-nationals (ODI). Again, the teams will be turning it on for both North and South Islanders with games in Auckland, Napier, stunning Queens-town with its mountain backdrop, Nelson and Hamilton. The last word between the two teams is then

SEASON PREVIEWSPiCY SUMMer For bLaCkCaPS

CriCKeT FANS Are iN FOr A TreAT WiTH TWO OF THe MOST eNTerTAiNiNG SiDeS iN WOrlD CriCKeT viSiTiNG NeW ZeAlAND THiS SUMMerhad in two ANZ Twenty20 Inter-nationals: evening entertainment for Auckland and Wellington and, of course, everyone following the action live on SKY.

THE excitement is non-stop this season with India meet-ing the BLACKCAPS just four

days after we farewell the West Indians. The defending World Cup champions open their much- anticipated tour with another set of five ANZ One-Day Internationals in a season that is pivotal to 2015 World Cup planning and prepa-rations – there is little more than a year to go until New Zealand jointly hosts the global showdown

with Australia. What better oppor-tunity is there for the BLACKCAPS to get some early psychological bonus points showing they can certainly foot it with the number-one-ranked team in the world here on our own turf this summer?

For a look at some of the remark-able talents that make up the Indian team, head to page 26 of this guide. This a side chocker with unique stories and special skills. After the white-ball contest is decided, the BLACKCAPS take on India in two ANZ Tests, in Auckland and Wellington in February, to complete an excellent menu of international cricket this summer.

ACROSS the Tasman, cricket aficionados will be follow-ing the unfolding drama –

it’s inevitable! – of the Ashes tour, with Australia out for revenge after their 2013 drubbing in England.

The jostling for 2013/14 interna-tional bragging rights has begun. For the BLACKCAPS who pushed England so hard in last season’s gripping ANZ International Series – they were a hair’s breadth from claiming a Test win in Auckland – there will be a determination to continue holding their black caps high at home over the next three months.

They face top quality opposition that includes some exciting new faces, the world’s number one Test all-rounder in India’s Ravichan-dran Ashwin, and rock-star bats-men Chris Gayle and Virat Kholi.

Get ready for a serious summer of cricket!

anzcricketworld.co.nz06

BLACKCAPS PREVIEW bUiLding oUr StoCkSWiTH THe iCC CriCKeT WOrlD CUP COMiNG TO AUSTrAliA AND NeW ZeAlAND NeXT SUMMer, ONe-DAY CriCKeT TAKeS ON MOre iMPOrTANCe THAN ever THiS SeASON FOr THe bLACKCAPS

THE BLACKCAPS selectors have the pressing task of pencilling in the best men for the preliminary World Cup squad – so

you could say the string of injuries that recently sidelined top stars from the BLACKCAPS’ preseason tours has been a blessing in disguise.

To recap, premier batsmen Martin Guptill (ankle surgery and fractured finger, now back in action), Ross Taylor (knee), Brendon Mc-Cullum (back), Kane Williamson (fractured thumb) have all been in the wars. Leading bowlers Tim Southee (ankle surgery, back play-ing), Trent Boult (rested after niggles, back playing) and promising allrounders Corey Anderson (rib) and Jimmy Neesham (finger) have all taken early tour exits as well, while spin maestro Dan Vettori has been back at Skycity Northern Knights level for just one month after an Achilles operation – a rare injury in cricket.

How on earth is all of that a blessing? It opened the door to a number of emerging players the selection panel were keen to have a closer

look at, testing them out against stiff chal-lenges in the subcontinent ahead of our big home season.

We ought to take heart that amidst all the upheaval, that newish, refashioned BLACKCAPS team that took on Sri Lanka in November stood up to the unique likes of Lalith “Slinger” Malinga to win the first ODI they got to play, for a drawn 1-1 series.

OFF-SPINNING/top order allrounder Anton Devcich is one who took a ton of confidence from the experience.

The 28-year-old self-described late bloomer from Hamilton (“until last season I was just bullying the ball too much,” he explains) made a half-century on Twenty20 debut to help the side to a welcome 15-run win over Bangladesh.

Earlier, he’d fallen just one boundary short of the same in the ODI series. Colin Munro, 26, pressed his claims with scores of 85 (ODI) and an unbeaten 73 in the same T20I win. Tom

Latham, 21-year-old son of 1992 World Cup player Rod Latham, whipped up a match-winning 86 at the top of the order against Sri Lanka.

NEESHAM, Adam Milne (the 21-year-old pace bowler looking beefier and scarier now that he’s filled out, having debuted

for the BLACKCAPS as a quick stripling in 2010), Neil Broom, Luke Ronchi – all have added to their international experience and bring depth to our reserves, if required.

It’s helped with forward planning, sure. However, the goal is always to win and overall the BLACKCAPS were left licking their wounds from lost and drawn series over the off-season – this despite white-ball series wins over England. The team’s official rankings remain a thorn in their side: eighth in Test and ODI rankings, seventh in Twenty20 Internationals. Something the entire squad, with its stars back in business, is determined to keep working on this summer.

JiMMY NeeSHAM, lUKe rONCHi AND ANTON DevCiCH TOM lATHAM

Image area: 255x185mm / Trim size: 275x205mm / Bleed size: 285x215mmNote: Measurements are depth x width

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CHriS GAYle With two triple centuries in Test cricket, this exciting Windies master-blaster needs no introduction to regular cricket followers. At 34, the powerful, charismatic six-footer rivals West Indian legend Sir Viv Richards for his ability to intimidate attacks through sheer bludgeoning might. He went into this season with 6836 Test runs at an elite average over 40 – including 15 centuries, and with a high score of 333 against Sri Lanka in 2010 – and is on course to play his 100th Test match in this ANZ International Series. In One-Day Internationals he has another 21 tons at an average just under 40 and is closing in on 9000 career runs. This crowd-pleaser enjoyed his last visit to New Zealand in 2008/09 and is certain to entertain once again.

DArreN SAMMY The West Indies has employed separate Test and ODI skippers in recent times with 29-year-old all-rounder Sammy commanding the Test role on their just-completed tour of India. First appointed captain in 2010, he led the Windies to Test, ODI and T20I series victories over the BLACKCAPS in the Caribbean in 2012 and has played over 100 ODI matches. The right-armer can be economical and gnawing with his medium pace, making him a tantalising prospect for New Zealand conditions, while in Test cricket he’s the workhorse backing up his strike bowlers with an ability to sustain long, accurate spells. As captain, his goal is to lift the West Indies’ Test ranking of sixth in the world – just behind Australia.

TiNO BeST From a part of the world renowned for its ability to produce genuine quicks, at 32 Tino Best is still living up to his name – fighting off the fast-bowling challengers to his position as a pre-eminent strike bowler in the Windies’ attack. An imposing presence at five foot eight, he puts his relative longevity in the role down to mind over matter, maturity and the ability to stay calm when batsmen are proving resolute, but there’s no doubt he embodies aggressive fast bowling at its best when he’s fired up. The right-armer’s career has at times been stalled by injuries, but his reputation and record – 48 wickets from 21 Tests and 33 wickets from 25 ODIs, heading into this season – is enough to put most batsmen en garde. At Edgbaston in 2012, he fell just short of becoming the first number eleven batsman to score a Test century with a world record 95.

MArlON SAMUelS This classy, increasingly consistent Jamaican batsman was named West Indies Cricketer of the Year for 2013 as well as being selected by Wisden as one its five international cricketers of the year. His maiden Test century was as a young man back in 2002 in India – he’d debuted at 19. Now 32, he’s keen to capitalise on his experience and add to his five Test centuries and 19 fifties gleaned at an average just under 40, and five ODI tons and 22 fifties at an average of over 30. Technically superb, the right-hander’s highest Test score was a maiden double ton, an innings of 260 that destroyed the home Bangladeshi attack last year; it was the second-highest innings by any West Indian Test cricketer on the sub-continent through history. His older brother Robert Samuels has also played Test and ODI cricket for the West Indies.

SHANe SHilliNGFOrD The off-spinner known as “Shilly” to his team-mates collected his fifth five-wicket bag – from only 11 Tests – just weeks ago in the West Indies’ Kolkata Test against India, an impressive haul of 6–167 from 55 overs. using his height (he’s six foot three) to full advantage, the spell-binding performance against some of the world’s most seasoned players of spin included the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar and saw the 30-year-old finish with nine for the match. He had almost single-handedly given his side a chance, and if given dry conditions in New Zealand he could well prove a handful for the BLACKCAPS in the ANZ International Series. But he’s not in any danger of getting ahead of himself. Says Shillingford, “Every trip is a learning trip. No matter how many matches I have played, I want to do my best, once I pull on the West Indies cap. There is always something new that can be picked up every day.”

DWAYNe BrAvO The West Indies’ One-Day International cap-tain, Dwayne Bravo is a senior all-rounder whose swing should come into play in New Zealand conditions. He made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2004 and scored memorable Test centuries against South Africa and Australia early in his career and has captained the side in Tests, but these days it’s his younger half-brother Darren who is in the five-day squad while Bravo focuses on short-format cricket. He is one of relatively few players to have taken a five-wicket ODI haul as captain and is a dangerous and sought-after Twenty20 player round the world, a key member of the West Indies team that won the 2012 ICC World Twenty20.

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SHivNAriNe CHANDerPAUl A familiar face from previous visits, Chander-paul played his 150th Test for the West Indies last month – an uncommon milestone that underscores how durable this 39-year-old senior statesman and lithe left-hand batsman has been. As luck would have it, it was the same Test that marked Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement and much accompanying fanfare and admiration was inevitably directed in Tendulkar’s direction. But even the Indian “Little Master” respected Chanderpaul. The eminent West Indian sports a Test average over 50, has 28 Test hundreds and offers invaluable composure on and off the pitch.

KierAN POWellAt 23, Powell from the Leewards Islands, is one of the fresher faces in the Windies’ line-up, but already has 17 Tests to his name, with a batting average over 30. In 2012 the powerful left-handed opener notably became the first West Indian Test cricketer to score twin centuries in a single Test match since Brian Lara in 2001.

KirK eDWArDSA relative late bloomer, 29-year-old middle- order batsman Edwards made up for lost time by scoring a Test century on debut, against India no less, when he was called into the West Indies Test squad in 2011. He was the 14th West Indian to achieve the feat and although his Test career then hit a speed bump, he has recently forced his way back into the side with heavy scoring for West Indies A.

DeNeSH rAMDiN Ramdin’s playing history – as a fast bowler turned wicketkeeper – makes him something of an oddity, but his bowling days are far behind the West Indies’ premier Test wicketkeeper. What remains is a slighty fiery reputation: expect plenty of chat from behind the stumps, and useful batting – no West Indies keeper has bettered his ODI high score of 96, while his Test best is 166.

NArSiNGH DeONAriNe A left-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler, 30-year-old Deonarine can be a very stubborn middle-to-late order batsman, even though he has yet to crack three figures at inter-national level. Often compared to his Guya-nan teammate and Windies super-veteran Chanderpaul, he is hunting for his opportunity to graduate from sidekick to top of the billing.

CHADWiCK WAlTON Wicketkeeper-batsman Walton is another in the squad who has been on the comeback trail this year: prior to the recent series in India, he had last represented the West Indies in 2009 when the regular side was decimated by a player contracts dispute.

veerSAMMY PerMAUlThis young specialist left-arm spinner made the West Indies team this time a year ago in Bangladesh and was considered good enough to take to the mecca of spin – India – last month, where he played the first Test. Another in the squad hungry for a chance to make a name for himself with a breakthrough per-formance at the top level.

SHANNON GABriel A genuinely fast bowler from Trinidad and Tobago, who’s been compared to a young Ian Bishop, 25-year-old Gabriel was recalled to the Windies’ Test squad in India to replace injured star Kemar Roach. He has played four Tests for the West Indies since debuting at Lord’s in 2012.

SHelDON COTTrell Twenty-four-year-old Jamaican pace bowler Cottrell comes to New Zealand as a new face with just one Test match behind him, but a reputation as one of the most promising quick bowlers in the Caribbean. A left-armer, his angle can be difficult – not to mention his speed.

At time of publication West indies’ ODi squad was still to be confirmed, following the conclusion of their November series in india. Potential ODi squad: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Narsingh Deonarine, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, veersammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Denesh ramdin, ravi rampaul, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, lendl Simmons

Allrounder Kieron Pollard was rested from the indian ODi series after an undisclosed injury; his availability was unconfirmed.

west Indies squad updates: windiescricket.com

HOT TICKET anZ internationaL SerieS

THe ATTACKiNG STYle OF iNDiAN CAPTAiN MAHeNDrA SiNGH DHONi AND WeST iNDiAN MASTerBlASTer CHriS GAYle WAS A TreAT FOr All CriCKeT AFiCiONADOS THe lAST TiMe THeSe iNTerNATiONAl STArS SeT FOOT iN NeW ZeAlAND

AFTER performing competitively against England last summer, this season’s ANZ International Series presents

another tremendous opportunity at home for New Zealand’s BLACKCAPS against one of the world’s most exciting top-ranked sides, India. While the key to playing the West Indies is always to expect the unexpected!

ANZ iNTerNATiONAl SerieS BlACKCAPS v WeST iNDieSDecember 3-7 ANZ Test 1 University Oval, Dunedin 10.30am

December 11-15 ANZ Test 2 Basin reserve, Wellington 10.30am

December 19-23 ANZ Test 3 Seddon Park, Hamilton 10.30am

December 26 ANZ ODi 1 eden Park, Auckland 2.00pm

December 29 ANZ ODi 2 Mclean Park, Napier 2.00pm

January 1 ANZ ODi 3 Queenstown events Centre 11.00am

January 4 ANZ ODi 4 Saxton Oval, Nelson 11.00am

January 8 ANZ ODi 5 Seddon Park, Hamilton 2.00pm

January 11 ANZ T20i 1 eden Park, Auckland 7.00pm

January 15 ANZ T20i 2 Westpac Stadium, Wellington 7.00pm

ANZ iNTerNATiONAl SerieS BlACKCAPS v iNDiA January 19 ANZ ODi 1 Mclean Park, Napier 2.00pm

January 22 ANZ ODi 2 Seddon Park, Hamilton 2.00pm

January 25 ANZ ODi 3 eden Park, Auckland 2.00pm

January 28 ANZ ODi 4 Seddon Park, Hamilton 2.00pm

January 31 ANZ ODi 5 Westpac Stadium, Wellington 2.00pm

February 2-3 india v NZ A Cobham Oval, Whangarei 11.00am

February 6-10 ANZ Test 1 eden Park, Auckland 11.00am

February 14-18 ANZ Test 2 Basin reserve, Wellington 11.00am

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bRENDON McCULLUM, CAPTAiNOtago Volts; wicketkeeper, right-hand bat.Bold, inventive batsman, leader of the BlACKCAPS, now plays as batsman-only at Test level.

Born Dunedin, 27 September 1981 BLACKCAPS debut: v Australia at Sydney, 2001/02Tests: 79 matches, 4512 runs, 6 x 100,

28 x 50 @34.98; 182 catches, 11 stumpingsODIs: 220 matches, 4966 runs, 4 x 100,

25 x 50 @30.46; 245 catches, 15 stumpingsT20Is: 62 matches, 1182 runs @35.5, 2 x 100,

11 x 50, Sr 135.49; 34 catches, 8 stumpings

COREY ANDERSONNorthern Knights; left-hand bat, left-arm medium-fast. Hard-hitting all-rounder and rising star with a dangerous arm on the boundary.

Born Christchurch, 13 December 1990 BLACKCAPS debut: v South Africa at Durban, 2012/13Tests: 2 matches, 125 runs, 1 x 100 @41.66;

1 catch; 3 wickets @22.00, Sr 62ODIs: 5 matches, 114 runs @28.50; 1 catch;

8 wickets @22.25, Sr 24.6T20Is: 6 matches, 35 runs @11.66, Sr 175;

2 wickets @46.50, Sr 33

TRENT bOULT Northern Knights; right-hand bat, left-arm fast-medium. Brisk exponent of swing and seam, key member of frontline test attack with useful batting. Born Rotorua, 22 July 1989BLACKCAPS debut: v Australia at Hobart, 2011/12Tests: 17 matches, 215 @16.53, 1 x 50; 5 catches;

52 wickets @30.82, 2 x 5wi, Sr 62.8ODIs: 8 matches, 8 runs @4; 1 catch;

6 wickets @47.66, Sr 58.5T20Is: 3 matches, 4 runs @4; 2 wickets @50, Sr 30

DOUg bRACEwELL Central Stags; right-hand bat, right-arm fast-medium. Challenging pace and aggression with all-round potential.Born Tauranga, 28 September 1990 BLACKCAPS debut: v Zimbabwe at Harare, 2011/12Tests: 18 matches, 337 runs @10.87; 5 catches;

50 wickets @36.26, 2 x 5wi, Sr 63.6ODIs: 7 matches, 14 runs @4.66; 2 catches;

8 wickets @42, Sr 48T20Is: 13 matches, 70 runs @23.33;

16 wickets @24.43, Sr 15.2

DEAN bROwNLIE Canterbury wizards; right-hand bat, right-arm medium. Australian-raised middle order aggressor who enjoys the ball coming on.Born Perth, 30 July 1984BLACKCAPS debut: v Pakistan at Auckland, 2010/11Tests: 14 matches, 711 r uns @29.62; 17 catches;

1 wicket @52, Sr 66ODIs: 3 matches, 22 runs @11; 1 catchT20Is: 4 matches, 6 runs @1.5, Sr 37.5; 2 catches

IAN bUTLEROtago Volts; right-hand bat, right-arm medium-fast. Strong 2012/13 Hrv season saw the experienced all-rounder’s T20i career resurrected.Born Auckland, 24 November 1981BLACKCAPS debut: v England at Christchurch, 2001/02Tests: 8 matches, 76 runs @9.5; 4 catches;

24 wickets @36.83, 1 x 5wi, Sr 57ODIs: 26 matches, 84 runs @10.5; 8 catches,

28 wickets @37.07, Sr 39.6T20Is: 19 matches, 5 runs @5; 3 catches;

23 wickets @20.91, Sr 15.5

ANTON DEVCICHNorthern Knights; left-hand bat, left-arm off-spin. late bloomer offering top order firepower and economical bowling.Born Hamilton, 28 September 1985BLACKCAPS debut: v Bangladesh at Dhaka,2013/14ODIs: 6 matches, 93 runs @15.5; 2 catches;

3 wickets @54.33, Sr 60T20Is: 2 matches, 59 runs @44.50

gRANT ELLIOTT wellington Firebirds; right-hand bat, right-arm medium-fast. All-rounder whose nous, fielding and swing can turn a short format game on his day.Born Johannesburg, 21 March 1979BLACKCAPS debut: v England at Birmingham, 2007/08Tests: 5 matches, 86 runs @10.75; 2 catches;

4 wickets @35, Sr 70.5ODIs: 51 matches, 1013 runs @29.79;

8 catches; 20 wickets @27.25, Sr 32.8T20Is: 3 matches, 42 runs @21;

1 wicket @31, Sr 12

BLACKCAPS PLAYER PROFILES

PlAYer STATiSTiCS CUrreNT TO eND OF 2013 TOUr OF Sri lANKA. FOr FUrTHer iNFOrMATiON ON THe BlACKCAPS, GO TO blackcaps.co.nz

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bRUCE MARTIN Auckland Aces; left-arm off-spin, right-hand bat. Never-say-die competitor capable of sustaining long spells.Born Whangarei, 25 April 1980BLACKCAPS debut: v England at Dunedin, 2012/13Tests: 5 matches, 74 runs @14.8,

12 wickets @53.83, Sr 126.5

ADAM MILNECentral Stags; right-arm fast-medium, right-hand bat. Quick youngster, an investment whose maturing physical strength should see him blossom.Born Palmerston North, 13 April 1992BLACKCAPS debut: v Pakistan at Auckland, 2010/11ODIs: 5 matches, 12 runs; 2 catches;

1 wicket @145, Sr 164T20Is: 4 matches, 3 runs; 1 wicket @142, Sr 72

MITCHELL McCLENAgHANAuckland Aces; left-arm medium-fast, left-hand bat. Proved his short format worth in a breakthrough season last summer with ability to pick up quick wickets.Born Hastings, 11 June 1986BLACKCAPS debut: v South Africa at Durban, 2012/13ODIs: 14 matches, 8 runs @8;

35 wickets @20.08, Sr 21.2T20Is: 10 matches, 7 runs @7;

11 wickets @25.90, Sr 18.1

NATHAN McCULLUM Otago Volts; right-arm off-spin, right-hand bat. A short format regular and economical off-spinning all-rounder.Born Dunedin, 1 September 1980BLACKCAPS debut: v South Africa at Durban, 2007/08 ODIs: 58 matches, 871 runs @21.24, 4 x 50;

26 catches; 43 wickets @44.48, Sr 55.1T20Is: 49 matches, 264 runs @13.20; 18 catches;

43 wickets @22.18, Sr 19.1

KYLE MILLS Auckland Aces; right-arm medium-fast, right-hand bat. veteran of the ODi attack who answered call to lead the team in Bangladesh and Sri lanka this season.Born Auckland, 15 March 1979 BLACKCAPS debut: v Pakistan at Sharjah, 2000/01Tests: 19 matches, 289 runs @11.56, 1 x 50;

4 catches; 44 wickets @33.02, Sr 65.9ODIs: 158 matches, 985 runs @15.88, 2 x 50; 38

catches; 228 wickets @26.48, 1 x 5wi, Sr 33.6T20Is: 37 matches, 127 runs @11.54; 8 catches;

36 wickets @30.19, Sr 21.7

ANDREw ELLISCanterbury wizards; right-arm medium-fast, right-hand bat. Specialist limited overs bowler in international cricket, capable of making useful runs. Maturity has provided leadership at NZ A level.Born Christchurch, 24 March 1982BLACKCAPS debut: v Zimbabwe at Dunedin, 2011/12 ODIs: 15 matches, 154 runs @14.00,

3 catches, 12 wickets @35.41, Sr 40.00T20Is: 5 matches,  25 runs @8.33,

2 wickets @52.50, Sr 30.00

PETER FULTONCanterbury wizards; right-hand bat, occasional right-arm medium. Tall opening batsman whose renaissance last summer included back-to-back centuries in a single ANZ Test against england. Born Christchurch, 1 February 1979BLACKCAPS debut: v Bangladesh at Chittagong, 2004/05 Tests: 17 matches, 843 runs @31.22, 2 x 100s,

4 x 50; 17 catchesODIs: 49 matches, 1334 runs @32.53, 1 x 100,

8 x 50; 18 catchesT20Is: 12 matches, 127 runs @11.54; 4 catches

MARTIN gUPTILL Auckland Aces; right-hand bat, occasional right-arm off-break. Top order batting elegance with clean-striking power. returning from injury.Born Auckland, 30 September 1986 BLACKCAPS debut: v West Indies at Auckland, 2008/09 Tests: 31 matches, 1718 runs @29.62, 2 x 100,

12 x 50; 33 catches; 5 wickets @51.60, Sr 66.4

ODIs: 75 matches, 2555 runs @39.92, 4 x 100, 17 x 50; 31 catches; 2 wickets @27.50, Sr 33.50

T20Is: 41 matches, 1168 runs @35.39, 1 x 100, 5 x 50; 19 catches

TOM LATHAM Canterbury wizards; wicketkeeper, left-hand bat. Accomplished face for the future with proven domestic run-making ability. Born Christchurch, 7 April 1992BLACKCAPS debut: v Zimbabwe at Dunedin, 2012/13ODIs: 13 matches, 280 runs @25.45;

6 catches, 1 stumpingT20Is: 7 matches, 80 runs @16; 1 catch

continued on PAGE 18

18

COLIN MUNRO Auckland Aces; left-hand bat, right-arm medium. Hard-hitting batting all-rounder pushing for a regular short format spot.Born Durban, 11 March 1987BLACKCAPS debut: South Africa at Durban, 2012/13Tests: 1 match, 15 runs @7.5; 2 wickets @20, Sr 54ODIs: 7 matches, 167 runs @27.83, 2 x 50T20Is: 10 matches, 160 runs @26.66, 1 x 50; 1 catch

JIMMY NEESHAMOtago Volts; left-hand bat, right-arm medium. Skilful, ultra-competitive young all-rounder with ability to float up the order domestically.Born Auckland, 17 September 1990BLACKCAPS debut: v South Africa at Durban, 2012/13ODIs: 7 matches, 73 runs @14.6;

11 wickets @19.09, Sr 20.2T20Is: 3 matches, 22 runs @12; 2 catches

ROb NICOLCanterbury wizards; right-hand bat, right-arm off-spin, right-arm medium. A batting all-rounder who scored an ODi century on debut.Born Auckland 28 May 1983BLACKCAPS debut: v 2010 Sri Lanka at Lauderhill, 2010Tests: 2 matches, 28 runs @7; 2 catchesODIs: 22 matches, 586 runs @34.84, 2 x 100, 2 x 50;

11 catches; 10 wickets @32.90, Sr 33.90T20Is: 21 matches, 327 runs @17.21, 2 x 50;

5 catches; 5 wickets @33.40, Sr 24.6

LUKE RONCHIwellington Firebirds, wicketkeeper, right-hand bat. A former Australia ODi and T20i representative who has been domestically successful with the bat.Born Dannevirke, 23 April 1981BLACKCAPS debut: v England at Lord’s, 2012/13ODIs: 14 matches, 208 runs @20.80, 1 x 50;

19 catches, 3 stumpingsT20Is: 5 matches, 81 runs @27.00

HAMISH RUTHERFORD Otago Volts, left-hand bat. Opening batsman who forced his way into international cricket last season to score 171 on Test debut.Born Dunedin, 27 April 1989 BLACKCAPS debut: v England at Auckland, 2012/13Tests: 7 matches, 407 runs @33.91, 1 x 100;

6 catchesODIs: 4 matches, 15 runs @3.75; 2 catchesT20Is: 7 matches, 151 runs @25.16, 1 x 50; 1 catch

ISH SODHINorthern Knights; leg-spinner, right-hand bat. Dedicated fledgling leggie with entertaining late order batting capability, an investment for the future.Born Ludhiana, 31 October 1992BLACKCAPS debut: v Bangladesh at Chittagong, 2013/14Tests: 2 matches, 81 runs @40.5, 1 x 50;

6 wickets @44.16, Sr 72

TIM SOUTHEE Northern Knights; right-arm fast-medium, right-hand bat. Strike bowler reaching the top of his game, high-lighted by taking 10 wickets at lord’s earlier this year.Born Whangarei, 11 December 1988BLACKCAPS debut: v England at Auckland, 2007/08Tests: 26 matches, 729 runs @19.18, 2 x 50;

14 catches; 83 wickets @34.33, 4 x 5wi, 1 x 10wi, Sr 65.1

ODIs: 72 matches, 274 runs @10.14; 12 catches; 97 wickets @30.92, 1 x 5wi, Sr 36

T20Is: 32 matches, 73 runs @9.12; 14 catches; 39 wickets @24.28, 1 x 5wi, Sr 17.3

ROSS TAYLOR Central Stags; right-hand bat, occasional right-arm off-spin. Star middle-order batsman with punishing class all around the wicket.Born Lower Hutt, 8 March 1984BLACKCAPS debut: v West Indies at Napier, 2005/06Tests: 50 matches, 3639 runs @42.81, 8 x 100,

21 x 50; 81 catches; 2 test wickets @24, Sr 48ODIs: 128 matches, 3915 runs @39.15, 8 x 100,

24 x 50; 88 catchesT20Is: 53 matches, 936 runs @24, 4 x 50; 36 catches

NEIL wAgNER Otago Volts; left-arm medium-fast, left-hand bat. Potent swing bowler who terrorised domestic scene while waiting to qualify for New Zealand.Born Pretoria, 13 March 1986BLACKCAPS debut: v West Indies at North Sound, 2012Tests: 9 matches, 114 runs @11.4; 4 catches;

31 wickets @36, 1 x 5wi, Sr 65.4

bJ wATLINg Northern Knights; wicketkeeper, right-hand bat. Able to bat anywhere in the order and a reborn keeper after initially playing first-class as a specialist batsman.Born Durban, 9 July 1985BLACKCAPS debut: v Pakistan at Dubai, 2009/10Tests: 16 matches, 830 runs @34.58, 2 x 100,

5 x 50; 36 catchesODIs: 22 matches, 528 runs @29.33, 5 x 50;

16 catchesT20Is: 3 matches, 37 runs @12.33; 2 catches

KANE wILLIAMSON Northern Knights; right-hand bat, right-arm off-spin. Classic number three with ability to punch off the back foot. Has the knack of picking up stubborn wickets. Born Tauranga, 8 August 1990BLACKCAPS debut: v India at Dambulla, 2010Tests: 27 matches, 1635 runs @34.78, 4 x 100, 10

x 50; 23 catches; 22 wickets @38.18, Sr 69.3ODIs: 46 matches, 1267 runs @36.20, 3 x 100, 6

x 50; 13 catches; 17 wickets @34.11, Sr 37.7T20Is: 13 matches, 206 runs @22.88; 5 catches;

2 wickets @35, Sr 20

anzcricketworld.co.nz

continued FRoM PAGE 17

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“The ANZ Cricket Grant Scheme was set up to assist cricket players at all levels, whether they’re playing competitively or in the back-yard with their families.

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Ms McGregor says young fans will also have an opportunity to stand side-by-side with the team captains for the coin toss during the ANZ International Series. ANZ customers can nominate seven- to 13-year-olds, with lucky winners receiving two match tickets, a gift pack and framed photo of themselves and the team captain on the pitch.

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THE VISIT meant Wellsford School’s deputy principal and resident cricket fan, Paul Moore, finally found enough

keen students to make a team.

The team practised with a jumbled collec-tion of second-hand and borrowed gear but with none of the other five local schools having a cricket team, didn’t have any oppo-nents. Moore finally found action at a com-petition in Ruakaka late in the season.

“We played four games. The first one we lost miserably but enjoyed the experience. The second game we lost by only 25 runs. The third one we lost by 10. In the fourth and final one, we got them all out in 16 overs and won by 80-odd runs. That was our first win – absolutely brilliant,” he says.

It was this spirit and persistence throughout the season, despite only playing a few games, which saw the school receive an ANZ Cricket Grant of $1,500 worth of new gear.

This year, ANZ is again giving away $100,000 to schools, clubs, fans and individual players in the form of gear, uniforms, ANZ International Series tickets, backyard cricket sets and bespoke grants.

ANZ Head of Sponsorship Sue McGregor says the bank is passionate about helping the country’s summer game grow.

going to an anZ internationaL SerieS MatCH?

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Zone or use your family pass to sit in the ANZ Family Area, a great place to soak in the action with the family and get a complimentary ANZ gift for all. ANZ, with the Cancer Society of New Zealand, will also be provid-ing sun screen to protect your skin at the cricket this summer.

21anzcricketworld.co.nz

uLTRA RIVALRY aSHeS doWnUnder“AT THe eND OF THe DAY iT’S reSUlTS THAT Are THe MOST iMPOrTANT THiNG,” eNGlAND CAPTAiN AliSTAir COOK SAiD reCeNTlY. “THAT’S HOW YOU Are JUDGeD, PreTTY MUCH, AS CAPTAiN”

England’s star batsman Kevin Pietersen had an early Ashes tour scare – needing corti-sone injections to a flare-up of the knee injury he suffered in New Zealand last sea-son; then a calf strain threw Matt Prior into

doubt for selection – all this just 11 days out from the tone-setting first Test.

Australia has had an unsettled build-up of its own, with media continuing to pick over new revelations in the historical Shane Warne/Ricky Ponting/Michael Clarke rift and Clarke determined to prove his goods as Australia’s leader.

Despite England’s emphatic victory in the home Ashes series earlier this year, interest in the traditional rivalry is at an all-time high in Australia, with the first day of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne not only sold out, but on course to set a new world record for attendance at a single day of Test cricket. Cricket Australia says the crowd on Boxing Day is likely to eclipse the previous attend-ance record of 90,800 set at the MCG when Australia played the West Indies way back in 1961. Bring it on.

IN WHICH case, the tall opening blade and skipper must surely be feeling reasonably comfortable as 2013 draws to an end. The

potency of England’s current Test line-up needs no introduction to New Zealand cricket fans after last summer’s ANZ Inter-national Series.

Ranked in the world’s top two Test nations (only South Africa is ahead on Test Champion-ship points), Alastair Cook’s men methodi-cally crushed Australia in the Ashes of mid-2013.

In the process, they drew ever so close to their first 4-0 Ashes Series scoreline – the fifth and final Test ending in a draw after it was controversially called on the last day for light under new ICC regulations. Now it’s time for the return bout and the acid is on the Australians to stand up to the exacting opposition on their own familiar turf, in front of the passion of their own crowds.

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AUSTrAliA verSUS eNGlAND iN AUSTrAliA 2013/1421-25 November Test 1 Brisbane Cricket Ground (“The ‘Gabba”) 1.00 pm NZT5-9 December Test 2 Adelaide Oval 1.00 pm NZT13-17 December Test 3 WACA, Perth 3.30 pm NZT26-30 December Test 4 Boxing Day Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground 12.30 pm NZT3-7 January Test 5 Sydney Cricket Ground 12.30 pm NZT12 January ODi 1 Melbourne Cricket Ground 4.20 pm NZT17 January ODi 2 Brisbane Cricket Ground (“The ‘Gabba”) 4.20 pm NZT19 January ODi 3 Sydney Cricket Ground 4.20 pm NZT24 January ODi 4 WACA, Perth 4.20 pm NZT26 January ODi 5 Adelaide Oval 4.20 pm NZT29 January T20i 1 Bellrive Oval. Hobart 9.35 pm NZT31 January T20i 2 Melbourne Cricket Ground 9.35 pm NZT2 February T20i 3 Stadium Australia, Sydney 9.35 pm NZT

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ASHES VISIT cricket.com.au

24 anzcricketworld.co.nz

Stat attaCkINDIA & WEST INDIES v BlACKCAPS

TEST RECORDSOverall RecordNew Zealand v indiaMatches (1930-2013) Won Lost Tied Drawn52 9 18 0 25

New Zealand v West indiesMatches (1952-2013) Won Lost Tied Drawn39 9 12 0 18

Highest Team Total For NZ v India 630/6 declared Mohali 2003/04For NZ v WI 543/3 declared Georgetown 1972/73For WI v NZ 660/5 declared Wellington 1994/95For India v NZ 583/7 declared Ahmedabad 1999/00

Lowest Team TotalFor NZ v India 94 Hamilton 2002/03For NZ v WI 74 Dunedin 1955/56For India v NZ 81 Wellington 1975/76For WI v NZ 77 Auckland 1955/56

Highest winning Margin (by Runs)For NZ v India 167 Nagpur 1969/70For NZ v WI 204 Bridgetown 2002For India v NZ 272 Auckland 1968For WI v NZ 332 Wellington 1994/95

Highest Individual ScoreNZ v India 239 Graham Dowling Christchurch 1967/68NZ v WI 259 Glenn Turner Georgetown 1971/72India v NZ 231 Vinoo Mankad Madras 1955/56WI v NZ 258 Seymour Nurse Christchurch 1968/69

best Individual bowling In An InningsNZ v India 7/23 Richard Hadlee Wellington 1975/76NZ v WI 7/27 Chris Cairns Hamilton 1999/00India v NZ 8/72 Srinivas Venkataraghavan Delhi 1964/65WI v NZ 7/37 Courtney Walsh Wellington 1994/95

SHANe BOND Sir riCHArD HADlee

ODI RECORDSOverall RecordNew Zealand v indiaMatches (1975-2013) Won Lost Tied No Result88 37 46 0 5

New Zealand v West indiesMatches (1975-2013) Won Lost Tied No Result56 21 28 0 7

Highest Team Total For NZ v India 349/9 Rajkot 1999/00For NZ v WI 342/6 Napier 2005/06For WI v NZ 315/5 Kingston 2012For India v NZ 392/4 Christchurch 2008/09

Lowest Team Total For NZ v India 103 Chennai 2010/11For NZ v WI 116 Port of Spain 1984/85For WI v NZ 123 Margao 1994/95For India v NZ 88 Dambulla 2010

Highest winning Run MarginFor NZ v India 200 Dambulla 2010For NZ v WI 107 Lord’s 2004For India v NZ 107 Delhi 1994/95For WI v NZ 135 Guwahati 1994/95

Highest Individual ScoreFor NZ v India 120 Nathan Astle Rajkot 1999/00For NZ v WI 122* Martin Guptill Auckland 2008/09For India v NZ 186 Sachin Tendulkar Hyderabad 1999/00For WI v NZ 146 Brian Lara Port of Spain 1995/96

best Individual bowlingFor NZ v India 6/19 Shane Bond Bulawayo 2005/06For NZ v WI 6/25 Scott Styris Port of Spain 2002For India v NZ 5/27 Kris Srikkanth Visakhapatnam 1988/89For WI v NZ 5/27 Sunil Narine Basseterre 2012

T20I RECORDS

Overall RecordNew Zealand v indiaMatches (2007-2013) Won Lost Tied No Result4 4 0 0 0

New Zealand v West indiesMatches (2006-2013) Won Lost Tied No Result6 1 2 3 0

25

gaMe on!BLACKCAPS BRACED FOR INDIAN SuMMER

WHO COUlD FOrGeT THOSe lOvelY lATe SUMMer AFTerNOONS AT eDeN PArK lAST SeASON WHeN NeW ZeAlAND’S BlACKCAPS CAMe DeSPerATelY ClOSe TO UPSeTTiNG ONe OF THe MOST SUCCeSSFUl UNiTS iN TeST CriCKeT?

India’s rankings? Number one ODI side on the planet. Top three in Tests and Twenty20s. A side with oceans of pride in its performance history: justifiably so. Its fans and players alike share a world-renown-ed passion for every intricacy of the game. Indian cricket marries fearless hitting with cerebral intent, delicate wristy stroke-work with a ‘spinners are winners’ attitude. With a wealth of domestic talent, just holding down a place in the Indian national team is a feat in itself: dealing with pressure is second nature to their players, making them a fearsome unit in international combat.

The BLACKCAPS have had an opportunity to get an early look at the form of both their big challengers this summer. West Indies and India are fresh from playing each other in India in

November. India dominated, winning both Tests inside three days, and was due to set off to South Africa imminently for a full December–January series before arriving in New Zealand. The West Indians, meanwhile, head straight to New Zealand, no doubt with a resolve to claw back some pride.

WHEN India last toured New Zealand in 2009, they took the Test

rubber 1-0 and ODIs 3-1, while the BLACKCAPS defeated them in both Twenty20 Internationals. Cap-tain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was instrumental – their only poor per-formance was the second Test, from which Dhoni was notably absent, injured. He remains at the helm, but familiar faces Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid have now hung up their bats, while Virender Sehwag and Harbajhan

Singh have lately faded out of favour with Indian selectors, which just goes to show how many riches fall at those selectors’ feet.

Dhoni is India’s most successful Test captain, having eclipsed Sourav Ganguly’s old record of 21 victories earlier this year, and on cue a new generation of stars has emerged as he shapes the post- Tendulkar era.

Mohammad Shami, Rohit Sharma and Ravidchandran Ashwin stood out in India, with Ashwin, Shami and talented One-Day player Virat Kholi among those set to be seen in New Zealand for the first time. Promising?

IN October Kholi racked up the fastest-ever ODI century in history, against some very good

and very bruised Australians in Jaipur: India’s mammoth 362/1 in that game was also the second-highest run chase by any team in history. As for Shami, he produced the best Test figures by any Indian pace bowler on debut – a welcome titbit for Indian supporters given our seaming conditions.

So, we have been warned – perhaps even the crowd will need helmets this summer, when the sixes start raining down. The ANZ International Series deliver 37 days of international cricket to New Zealanders this season and while West Indies deliver an exciting entrée, there’s no doubt that India’s status makes it the main course. The BLACKCAPS will be drawing on every ounce of confidence taken from their performance against England last summer to take them on in one of the most exciting ANZ Internationals Series yet.

THE fairytale story of last season was Peter Fulton’s comeback after three years

away from Test cricket: twin centuries in the same ANZ Test, including his maiden, writing himself into the history books as the first New Zealander in 22 years to back up. Then Trent Boult – a career-best 6/88 in the first innings, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner breathing fire out their nose as they, in turn, did their bit with the swinging, seaming ball to manoeuvre England to the brink of defeat.

And all this not without consider-able resistance from their quarry. In that last hour, every punter in the stadium was gripped. Surely England couldn’t hold on here, nine down against a ring field and the umpires being asked the question? Surely? Surely...?

That stubborn wicket was all that stood between the BLACKCAPS and a hungered-for Series victory after an exacting, month-long tussle. Earlier, they had shared the ANZ Twenty Internationals one apiece, and been edged 2-1 in the ANZ ODIs. Were we to look solely at world rankings, you’d say that was quite the turn-up.

THE BLACKCAPS are eighth on the ICC Test Championship table and ODI charts, and

seventh in the world of Twenty20 Internationals, to England’s second, third and sixth, respectively. But skipper Brendon McCullum and his team know the value of home advantage and expect to punch above when the best overseas sides come to New Zealand. It’s exactly what they will need to do when India touches down in mid-January.

bcci.tv.in

bcci.tv.in

PLAYER PREVIEW india in neW ZeaLandTHe MeN WHO PlAY FOr ONe OF THe WOrlD’S GreAT CriCKeT NATiONS iNvAriABlY OFFer SOMeTHiNG SPeCiAl

MS DHONiOne of the most fascinating match-ups of the ANZ International Series with India will be between India’s cap-tain and wicket-keeper and his B L A C K C A P S c o u n t e r p a r t , Brendon McCullum. The two 32-year-olds have a certain similarity in their approach to batting and leadership that might be summed up in one word: attacking. Dhoni led India on its last visit to our shores and has chalked up major career highlights in leading his men to an ICC World Cup title (2011), World Twenty20 championship title (2007) and a number one ranking in the World Test Championship (2009-2011). He has six Test hundreds at an average just under 40 and has played a powerhouse of 232 One-Day Internationals, for nine centuries and 49 half-centuries at an average over 50.

iNDiA’S TOUriNG SQUAD iS YeT TO Be ANNOUNCeD

Frontline contenders include:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain, wicketkeeper), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Chetsehwar Pujara, Pragyan Ojha, Ajinkya Rahane, umesh Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev unadkat, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohit Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni.

Dropped during last year’s tour of England, reforged pace bowler Zaheer Khan has been tipped to make his international return this summer.

Official India squad updates: bcci.tv.in

virAT KHOli A young middle order (and some-times opening) batsman with a thirst for scoring runs quickly, once you’ve seen Kholi play it comes as no surprise that he holds the record for the fastest ODI cen-tury scored by any Indian player. The 25-year-old from Delhi burst onto the international scene in 2008, but battled for three years to make the Test team. In 2011 his wish was granted and in Australia at the end of that year he raised the bat to his maiden Test ton, on a tour in which his senior comrades had struggled. Still, he remains best appreciated for his white-ball daring and is currently the world’s number one-ranked ODI batsman in the ICC’s official ratings. He has 17 ODI centuries at a high conversion rate, an average over 50 and a deserved reputation as one of India’s most entertaining performers.

MOHAMMeD SHAMi This seaming rising star had played very little domestic cricket when first drafted into the Indian ODI attack at the beginning of this year. Now, after taking a match-winning

haul of 5/47 in match figures of 9/118 on Test debut, the 23-year-old is a h o u s e h o l d name. His start-ling performance last month against West Indies at Kolkata’s Eden Gar-dens delivered India’s fifth Test victory on the trot.

He can reverse the ball, but his debut blinder was built not so much on swing but con-sistently hitting the right length – an even

more dangerous attribute in one so young. One to watch.

rOHiT SHArMA From hit-and-miss One-Day player to scoring a sensational man-of-the-match 177 on Test debut, it’s been a mighty Indian comeback for Rohit

Sharma this year. Alongside fellow rear-guard batting partner and century-maker Ravichandran Ashwin, he patiently wore

out the West Indies’ attack in the first innings of the November home rubber to put India firmly in control of both the match and the series – setting a record Test seventh-wicket partnership mark in the process. Originally drafted into the One-Day team in 2007 as a right-hander in the middle order, he slipped by the wayside in 2011, but has stormed back to form as an attacking top order blade this year – becoming only the third player in history to score an ODI double century (against Australia) and breaking the world record for most sixes in an ODI innings.

rAviCHANDrAN ASHWiN A tall tweaker, 27-year-old Ravichandran Ashwin zoomed to the top of the ICC’s official list of best Test all-rounders after he scored a century and grabbed five wickets in the same match against the West Indies in November. His 124 at Kolkata was a career-best effort since his 2011 debut, and continued a strong run of Test form in the calendar year, having been India’s top wicket-taker against Australia in its previous series with 29 wickets at a lean average of 20.10. The off-spinner already has his 100th Test wicket, one of the fastest bowlers in history to reach the milestone – metaphorically speaking of course. His control and ability to flatten the ball also sees him highly rated as an ODI and T20I slow bowler.

26

MS Dhoni

Mohammed Shami

Rohit Sharma

Virat Kholi

Ravichandran Ashwin

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The Plunket Shield runs through until 26 February when all six teams – the Auckland Aces, SKYCITY Northern

determine this season’s trophy-holder in a tradi-tionally tight race.

The national one-day Ford Trophy competi-tion then finishes the New Zealand season in style – and with the 2015 Cricket World Cup coming our way next season, players are keenly aware of its importance this summer as they push for BLACKCAPS selection.

The eight Ford Trophy rounds run from the start of March to early

April, with a televised final on 5 April. Full schedule details available at blackcaps.co.nz

Knights, defending champions the Devon Hotel Central Stags, Wellington Firebirds, Canterbury

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SuMMER FuNHigH StakeS HrV tWentY20SHOW YOUr TrUe COlOUrS AND GeT BeHiND YOUr lOCAl TeAM iN THeir QUeST TO rePreSeNT NeW ZeAlAND AT THe iNTerNATiONAl CHAMPiONS leAGUe – THe BiG-leAGUe OverSeAS SHOWDOWN BeTWeeN THe WOrlD’S TOP T20 SiDeS, iN WHiCH THe OTAGO vOlTS TUrNeD HeADS THiS YeAr

Hrv TWeNTY20 FiNAlS17 January Hrv Twenty20 Preliminary Final (2 v 3) Hamilton 7.10 pm Tv

18 January Hrv Twenty20 Final (1 v winner of 2 v 3) Hamilton 7.10 pm Tv

19 January reserve Day, if required Hamilton 7.10 pm TV

For all domestic livescoring, news, points tables and match reports visit blackcaps.co.nz

THE HRV Twenty20 action builds up over late December and January towards a finals “weekend” in Hamilton, where the

second and third teams on the points table will slug it out on a Friday night under lights for the right to decide the 2014 title with the top-placed team the following night.

And if you can’t make it to Seddon Park, never fear – SKY TV will be there to cover you. Make

sure you follow your team’s mascot on Twitter and Facebook too for some good banter.

A cool new feature is the “Zing” stumps: bails and stumps that electronically light up and flash whenever the bails are dislodged, so that your attention is instantly drawn to the possi-bility of a wicket. And with big-hitting Jesse Ryder switching from the Firebirds to the cham-pion Volts, can they overtake early leaders the Knights?

NOW He’S A vOlT: JeSSe rYDer

blackcaps.co.nz/activepostcricket30

HAVE A GO WITH aCtiVePoSt CriCket

CriCKeT iS THe ClASSiC KiWi SUMMer PASTiMe. liKe BArBeCUeS, THe BeACH AND TOMATO SAUCe – iT’S THe SUMMer THiNG TO SWiNG BAT ON BAll iN THe BACKYArD.

ActivePost is passionate about cricket. We’re also passionate about grassroots par- ticipation in sport and getting as many Kiwis as possible to have a go.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with New Zealand Cricket to teach Kiwi kids the skills to play cricket through ActivePost Kiwi Cricket and ActivePost Have-A-Go Cricket.

This summer, more than 100,000 Kiwi kids (aged 5-10) will take part in both ActivePost Kiwi Cricket and ActivePost Have-A-Go Cricket in clubs and schools throughout New Zealand. They’re specially designed to teach kids the basic skills of batting, catch-ing, throwing, and fielding through hands-on skills coaching or playing modified games of cricket.

The emphasis is on fun and participation as well as taking positive steps in a child’s long-term participation and involvement in cricket.

At One-Day Internationals this summer there will be special ActivePost Have-A-Go Cricket events where kids will demonstrate their skills in games on the field and maybe one day go on to become like their BLACKCAPS and White Ferns heroes.

Junior cricket joins the family of ActivePost partners, which includes junior hockey (Small Sticks Hockey), Water Safety NZ, Waka Ama and Athletics New Zealand.For more information on ActivePost Cricket contact your local Cricket Association or visit www.blackcaps.co.nz/activepostcricket

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