Wheeler back in rep cricket line-up

The return of former Black Cap Ben Wheeler is the main talking point surrounding the naming of the Marlborough senior rep cricket to take on Nelson at Horton Park over the weekend.

The match will decide which zone three side goes on to challenge Canterbury Country for the Hawke Cup on January 30-31.

Left arm paceman Wheeler will play his first match for Marlborough for two seasons, but only as a batsman as he makes a managed return from a lengthy injury break.

His selection adds depth to the Marlborough batting line-up, an area of concern at stages this season.

Skipper Matthew Stretch also has plenty of bowling options, with six medium pacers to choose from, plus himself and Tom Sutherland as spin options.

Nelson, with such class players as Greg Hay and the Zohrab brothers in their side, will be a tough nut to crack, although this appears to be the best-balanced Marlborough side the rep coaches have been able to field this season.

Marlborough:

Chris Bartholomeusz, Benjamin Ivory-McCullum (wk), Andrew McCaa, Matthew Stretch (captain), Jerrym Lamb, Ben Wheeler, Tarin Mason, Ahkil Pant, Tom Sutherland, Will Smith,

Bailey Andrews-Kennedy, Nick Weaver.

Nelson (from):

Brendan Hodgson, Ollie Jones Allen, Thomas Zohrab, Nic Clark, David Zohrab, Ronan Restieaux, Finn Raxworthy, Greg Hay, Joey O'Connor, Josh Newport, Felix Murray, Harsh Visavidya, Dylan Egint

Play starts at 10.30am each day and the game will be umpired by Andrew Holdaway and Neil Capstick.