Booooom! The 2017/18 Burger King Super Smash season opens in Auckland today with a heavy-hitting clash between two exceptionally strong teams.
Nicknamed "Brutal" for good reason, hard-hitter Tom Bruce gets his eye in. MButcher/NZC
Last year’s Grand Finalists the Central Stags fly in fresh from smashing their way to the top of the one-day Ford Trophy table with an all-star cast including current or recent BLACKCAPS Adam Milne, George Worker, Jesse Ryder, Doug Bracewell, Ben Wheeler, Seth Rance and Tom Bruce; a keeper-batsman who’s coming off a maiden run-a-ball ton and the kind of all-round depth that has pundits picking them as one of the hot teams this summer.
Glenn Phillips packs a powerful punch for the Aces. PHOTOSPORT
Hosts the Auckland Aces meanwhile are fired up to start strong at their traditional fortress, the charming Eden Park Outer Oval, and have sprung a couple of big surprises in their powerhouse squad of 13 for this arvo’s entertainment with two new faces who will be on Aces debut if selected in the XI that will be announced at the 3.30pm toss.
Surrey import Sam Curran flew in late last week and has been meeting his new teammates and familiarising himself with Eden Park Outer Oval.
Says Auckland Aces captain Craig Cachopa, “Sam has settled in well to the team environment and has been looking dangerous in the nets in the short time we have seen him. He could well be one to watch this Burger King Super Smash!”
Twenty-three-year-old spinning allrounder Teja Nidamanuru, player of the tournament after a brilliant NZCT National Club Cricket Championship in April where he was representing Otago via Dunedin’s championship-winning Albion club, has returned home to Auckland and impressed selectors in the Auckland A team that contested the North Island T20 tournament in Taupo recently.
Nidanamuru took 11 wicket and smashed a 50-ball ton at Club Champs. MButcher/NZC
Aces Coach Mark O’Donnell says the team have been sharp in all areas since the white-ball campaigns have started.
“We’ve gone two from three in the Ford Trophy section before Christmas which is pleasing. Now it’s the Burger King Super Smash and all the excitement that comes with it. We will be looking for a clinical start to our campaign, to hit the ground running against the Stags tomorrow afternoon,” O’Donnell says.
Your chance to see man of the moment George Worker in action. MButcher/NZC
The Stags of course have other ideas and with a solid top order will be keen to get off to a flier of their own, with class opening batsman George Worker going head to head with the man he will open the BLACKCAPS ODI batting with next week, big-hitter Colin Munro.
Hope those dudes working in the service station forecourt across Sandringham Road have got a good fielding arm!
BURGER KING SUPER SMASH ROUND ONE
Auckland Aces v Central Stags
Wednesday 13 December
Eden Park Outer Oval
TICKETS
Toss time: 3.30pm
Start time: 4pm
AUCKLAND ACES
Craig Cachopa (captain)
Michael Barry
Mark Chapman
Sam Curran
Lockie Ferguson
Ben Horne (w)
Ben Lister
Colin Munro
Tarun Nethula
Teja Nidamanuru
Robbie O’Donnell
Glenn Phillips
CENTRAL STAGS
Will Young (captain)
George Worker
Jesse Ryder
Tom Bruce
Dane Cleaver (w)
Josh Clarkson
Doug Bracewell
Adam Milne
Ben Wheeler
Seth Rance
Ajaz Patel
Blair Tickner
COMING UP
TOMORROW: Kings v Otago Volts at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
FRIDAY UNDER LIGHTS: Knights v defending champs Wellington Firebirds at Seddon Park, Hamilton
