Auckland
2009/10 season: fifth
Coach: Paul Strang
Squad: Gareth Hopkins (captain), Michael Bates, Brad Cachopa, Craig Cachopa, Colin DeGrandhomme, Andrew De Boorder, Roneel Hira, Anaru Kitchen, Gareth Shaw, Jimmy Neesham, Jeet Ravel, Lance Shaw, Bhupinder Singh, Greg Todd, Dusan Hakaraia, Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kyle Mills, Tim McIntosh, Chris Martin, Daryl Tuffey, Andre Adams
Despite having a successful season in the shorter forms of the game, the Aces dropped from first to fifth in the four-day competition in 2009/10, and will be looking to climb back up the ladder this year. For the second season BLACKCAPS Test wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins leads the way for the Auckland side, with Kyle Mills as his vice captain. Former Aces star Andre Adams returns as an international import and will be playing in all competitions for the side this season. Aces stalwart Richard Jones, who was the top run scorer in the longest form of the game for the Aces last season, has pulled stumps on his domestic career, so all eyes will be on the younger players, including big hitter Colin DeGrandhomme and NZU19 star Jimmy Neesham. The Aces also have a strong bowling line up, spearheaded by overall domestic Mitre 10 MVP winner Michael Bates.
Canterbury Wizards
2009/10 season: second
Coach: Bob Carter
Squad: Peter Fulton (captain), Corey Anderson, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Brandon Hiini, Rob Nicol, Michael Papps, Richard Sherlock, Shanan Stewart, Reece Young, Carl Frauenstein
It was close but no silverware for the Wizards last year, but with Peter Fulton in charge for his first full season the team will be looking at going one better and taking home the Plunket Shield in 2010/11. Former BLACKCAPS opener Fulton took over the captaincy during the 2009/10 season, replacing Kruger van Wyk who has since departed for the Central Stags. The Wizards welcome some new faces to the side this year, with former Aces wicketkeeper Reece Young filling the gap left by van Wyk, and fast bowler Richard Sherlock returning to the side to help bolster the bowling stocks. With a handful of new BLACKCAPS amongst the team in the shape of Shanan Stewart, Hamish Bennett and Rob Nicol, the Wizards look a strong and balanced side on paper and will be difficult to beat this year.
Central Stags
2009/10 season: Third
Coach: Alan Hunt
Squad: Jamie How (captain), Doug Bracewell, Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Mitchell McClenaghan, Michael Mason, Tarun Nethula, Brad Patton, Mathew Sinclair, Kruger van Wyk, Timothy Weston, Ben Wheeler, George Worker, Adam Milne, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram.
Led by a new coach and with three international players spearheading the batting line up, the Stags go into the Plunket Shield ready to improve on their third placing from last season. Captain Jamie How will be looking at continuing his good form from the recent NZA tour of Zimbabwe while Peter Ingram, who was the highest run scorer for the Stags in last year’s Plunket Shield, and Mathew Sinclair will be looking to step up and prove they are leaders with the bat. The side welcomes two new faces in the form of wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk from Canterbury and former Aces leg-break bowler Tarun Nethula, who will complement paceman Mitchell McClenaghan who has returned from injury.
Northern Knights
2009/10 season: Winners
Coach: Grant Bradburn
Squad: James Marshall (captain), Graeme Aldridge, Jono Boult, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Daniel Flynn, Michael Parlane, Peter McGlashan, Bradley Scott, Brad Wilson, Joseph Yovich, Anurag Verma, Daniel Vettori, Brent Arnel, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, B J Watling, Kane Williamson
The Knights were the form team in the longer form of the game last season, and will be keen to hold onto the coveted Plunket Shield this year. With last year’s star performer Kane Williamson on international duty with the BLACKCAPS, the pressure will be on former internationals Daniel Flynn and James Marshall. BLACKCAPS all-rounder Scott Styris has made the move back to the Knights this season, while all eyes will be on sibling duo Trent and Jono Boult who both show great promise with the ball. The Knights is a team with all bases covered, and they will be tough to beat as they look to defend their crown.
Otago
Last season: fourth
Coach: Mike Hesson
Squad: Craig Cumming (captain), Nick Beard, Derek de Boorder, Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Anthony Bullick, Ian Butler, Warren McSkimming, Aaron Redmond, Neil Wagner, Sam Wells, Darren Broom, Nathan McCullum, Brendon McCullum
This is the final season at the helm for Volts coach Mike Hesson, and he will be looking to finish on a high in all forms of the game. The team has a strong line up, full of former international players in the form of captain Craig Cumming, Neil Broom, Ian Butler and Aaron Redmond. Cumming top scored for the Volts in last year’s Plunket Shield and he’ll be looking to lead from the front again along with Redmond, who will be keen for an international call up. Volts stalwart Warren McSkimming spearheads the bowling attack with his medium pace and will be nicely supplemented by left-arm quick Neil Wagner, who took 28 wickets in the Plunket Shield last year, and slow left-arm orthodox bowler Nick Beard.
Wellington Firebirds
2009/10 season: sixth
Coach: Anthony Stuart
Squad: Grant Elliott (captain), Josh Brodie, Dewayne Bowden, Matthew Bell, Leighton Burtt, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Cameron Merchant, Neal Parlane, Joe Austin-Smellie, Luke Woodcock, Harry Boam, Malaesaili Tugaga, Jesse Ryder, Andy McKay, Jeetan Patel.
The only way is up for the Wellington Firebirds who had a poor season in all forms of the game last summer, finishing last in the Plunket Shield. The team has a new captain in the form of BLACKCAPS all-rounder Grant Elliott who will be looking to get the Firebirds off to a positive start this season. Batsman Luke Woodcock, who scored 988 First Class runs for the Firebirds during 2009/10, will be looking to continue his good form. The Wellington based side also welcomes former Wizards fast bowler Leighton Burtt, who will fill the fast bowling gaps left by the retired Iain O’Brien, and Andy McKay who is on BLACKCAPS duty.
