The Aces return to Christchurch this weekend determined to put another trophy in the cabinet and avenge their semifinal loss to the Canterbury Wizards.
They will take a group of thirteen players down south with the most noticeable absentee being opener Tim McIntosh who couldn't recover in time from a toe injury sustained in the semifinal win over the Otago Volts. Takapuna wicket-keeper batsman Brad Cachopa comes into the thirteen as a replacement.
Whilst losing McIntosh will be a blow Aces coach Paul Strang is confident that his side has got the batting to win the game.
"Tim has been in great form and his innings on Wednesday was something special. But our whole top order has been performing throughout the competition and I guess in some ways it gives us a bit of extra motivation to go down there and win."
The Aces will have to overcome a Canterbury side at the top of their game and Strang is fully aware of the task that his side has ahead of them.
"They have been playing some great cricket and they deserved to win last weekend [against the Aces]. We'll be better for the experience though and we've got plenty of confidence coming into the game."
The thirteen for Sunday's game is as follows:
Andre Adams (Overseas Professional)
Brad Cachopa (Takapuna)
Colin de Grandhomme (Howick Pakuranga)
Roneel Hira (North Shore)
Gareth Hopkins (capt) (wk) (Parnell)
Anaru Kitchen (Waitakere City)
Chris Martin (Parnell)
Michael Bates (Suburbs New Lynn)
Colin Munro (Howick Pakuranga)
Jeet Raval (Suburbs New Lynn)
Greg Todd (Howick Pakuranga)
Daryl Tuffey (Suburbs New Lynn)
Lou Vincent (Takapuna)
