A young Aussie fast bowler has swept into town with no record to speak of but a reasonable reputation.
So too has a 34-year-old Wellington warhorse just 10 months after his emotional farewell.
Jayde Herrick has a shaved head and tattoos, but more to the point also bowls a handy outswinger at good pace, according to those in Victoria. He will play against Otago in a third round Plunket Shield match at the Basin Reserve starting today and, if he does well, will be looked at for the HRV Cup competition.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Iain O'Brien flew in on Sunday from Middlesex and had a gentle roll in the nets, but is nowhere near match fit. He plays Neil Adcock in the Tangiwai movie being shot at the Petone Recreation Ground today and once that is complete may figure on Wellington's radar for the Twenty20.
Wellington coach Anthony Stuart said with the province's best quicks either injured, suspended or overseas he was forced to look "outside the square" for a new-ball bowler.
They tried to tempt Englishman Luke Wright into playing but failed. So they contacted New South Wales and Victoria and ended up with Herrick, on the recommendation of Victoria's bowling coach Damien Wright.
"Luke had a family issue up in Auckland and we respect that," Stuart said. "Vic have a bit of an opinion of Jayde so we'll see how it pans out.
"He has to return home for club cricket on Saturday so it's a short burst at the moment."
Herrick, 25, plays for Victoria's second XI, is a former Victoria under-23 representative and captains his club, Casey-South Melbourne. He is believed to bowl outswing at good pace and is a handy lower order batsman.
He arrived yesterday afternoon, picked up his Wellington gear and had a look around what will be his home for the next four days.
Story courtesy of Jonathon Millmow, Dominion Post
