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With four teams in the running to take out the inaugural HRV Cup, the final three rounds in the coming week are set to be hotter than sizzlers on a Barbie during the summer months.
And will have more action and drama than the latest Hollywood blockbuster.
Last year’s Twenty20 champions, the Otago Volts, currently sit at the top of the table with 20 points separated from the Central Stags only by net run rate. The Northern Knights and Auckland Aces are both nipping at their heels four points further back. The competition could go in any direction with the top four teams all a genuine chance of qualifying for the finals.
Each of the contenders plays off against each other in the final three HRV Cup rounds, all chasing the silverware and ultimately a place at the Champions League, playing alongside some of the biggest names in cricket.
The North Island rivalry between neighbouring teams the Knights and Aces will heat up on Friday night. Both teams must win at least two of the final three games to have a chance of featuring in the finals.
Top of the table Volts and Stags face off on Sunday afternoon in Dunedin. With Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram against Brendon McCullum and Ian Butler, and with such a huge prize at stake, this will no doubt be an explosive match. The Stags then take on Thilkaratne Dilshan and the in-form Knights in Hamilton on Tuesday 26 January in the final round of the competition.
The team with the most points after Tuesday’s game will host the final of the HRV Cup. With the competition so close, there is no chance of guessing where it might be. The final could either be at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth, University Oval in Dunedin, Seddon Park in Hamilton or Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.
The winners of the HRV Cup gain a place at the Champions League. Last year the Otago Volts went to India to participate and try to grab a share of the $US5 million dollar prize money. Because of that huge monetary incentive players will be giving it their all to ensure their team takes out the HRV Cup and secures a place at the Champions League.
The ultimate prize for the players however is selection into the BLACKCAPS squad for the international season against Bangladesh and Australia during February and March.
The week night games start at 5pm while the Sunday games start at 2pm. Tickets are only $15 for adults, $5 for children and $35 for a family. These up coming games are expected to be sell outs so it is advised to jump on line and book your tickets at www.ticketek.co.nz
Friday 22 January
Otago Volts v Canterbury Wizards
University Oval, Dunedin, 5pm
Auckland Aces v Northern Knights
Colin Maiden Park, Auckland, 5pm
Wellington Firebirds v Central Stags (Howzat for Haiti)
Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve, 5pm
Sunday 24 January
Otago Volts v Central Stags
University Oval, Dunedin 2pm
Canterbury Wizards v Auckland Aces
QEII Park, Christchurch, 2pm
Northern Knights v Wellington Firebirds
Allied Nationwide finance Basin Reserve, Wellington 2pm
Tuesday 26 January
Northern Knights v Central Stags
Seddon Park, Hamilton, 5pm
Auckland Aces v Otago Volts
Colin Maiden Park, Auckland, 5pm
Canterbury Wizards v Wellington Firebirds
MainPower Oval, Rangiora, 5pm
Sunday 31 January
HRV CUP FINAL 2pm
Venue TBC
