Rep cricketers host Canterbury Country

Marlborough’s senior rep cricketers are firmly in the box seat to bag home final advantage when they host Canterbury Country at Horton Park tomorrow and Sunday.

Outright wins over Hawke Cup zone three rivals Buller and Nelson see the home side perched on top of the standings entering the last round-robin game, comfortably ahead with 20 points.

Canterbury Country, who Marlborough will meet in the zone qualification final on February 14-16, have 13 points and will need an outright win over Marlborough to earn hosting rights for the decider.

While some sides may opt to concentrate on avoiding a hefty loss, Marlborough will certainly take a pro-active attitude into the encounter, looking to pocket some positive vibes against a side they will meet a few weeks later.

Against Nelson, Marlborough batted positively, trying to keep the scoreboard ticking over and welcoming a four-innings game, rather than just occupying the crease. It certainly worked as they prevailed in emphatic fashion, but whether they follow a similar game plan against a more experienced and dangerous rival remains to be seen.

Marlborough will be without a couple of key players this weekend. Leading batsman Prabodha Arthavidu is unavailable, as is bowler Tarin Mason.

Back into the team comes Renwick batsman Luke Frankland, plus the vastly experienced Andrew McCaa, who will make his first appearance for the reps this season.

Once again, both sides are able to field 12 players during the course of the matchy, so will field a bowling 11 and a batting 11.

The game

starts at 10:30am

on Saturday and Sunday and will be umpired by Andrew Holdaway and Neil Capstick.

Minimum overs each day is 110.

Marlborough:

Joel Lavender, Tom Sutherland, Ma’ara Ave, Matthew Stretch (capt), Jerrym Lamb, Luke Frankland, Andrew McCaa, Harry MacDonald, Cooper Roberts, Chris Turkington, Nick Weaver, Sam Boyce. Coach: Jarrod Englefield.

Canterbury Country

: Tim Gruijters (capt), Arafat Bhuiyan, Angus Sidey, Jed Roberts, Rupert Young, Jeremy Benton, Ben Hartland, Shanan Stewart, Will Hamilton, Sam Chamberlain, Fraser Sheat, Jesse Frew. Coach: Michael Sharpe.