Team named for first Hawke Cup clash

The Marlborough cricket team face their first big test of the Hawke Cup season when they take on Canterbury Country in a zone three qualifying group match at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora this weekend.

Marlborough have named a 13-man squad for the trip south, bringing experienced campaigners Jerrym Lamb and Matt McCormick back into the fold for the red ball game.

Their addition will boost the overall strength of the side, which contains a plethora of all-rounders, including Tarin Mason, the in-form rep batsman so far this season.

Country are the current Hawke Cup holders, meaning whoever finishes second in the zone three group (Marlborough, Nelson, Country and Buller) will earn a challenge later in the season.

Consequently, if Marlborough are able to take some points from this fixture they will be very handy further down the line.

The Marlborough team is: Tom Sutherland, Chris Bartholomeusz, Andrew McCaa, Matthew Stretch (captain), Jerrym Lamb, Tarin Mason, Ahkil Pant, Nick Weaver, Bailey Andrews-Kennedy, Will Smith, Benjamin Ivory-McCullum (keeper), Matt McCormick, Cooper Roberts.

Both sides can play 12 in this fixture, while the 13th man will be named before play starts.

Play begins at 10.30am each day.