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The last time the Wellington Firebirds made the finals of short-form domestic cricket competition was the 2001/2002 season: and they really cashed in. They won both the State Max tournament and the State Shield 50 over competition.
Although it has been a long time between drinks for the Firebirds, captain Matthew Bell is confident that things will change for the up coming HRV Cup.
Bell is quietly optimistic about his team’s chances in the national Twenty20 competition (despite nagging injuries to some top players including Jesse Ryder and Grant Elliott).
“There is a chance for the younger guys of the squad to step up and perform,” he said. “Hopefully we can win a few early games and get that momentum flowing.”
English international cricketer Owais Shah comes into the side for the HRV Cup and Bell said he will be a welcome addition, along with the BLACKCAPS returning to the domestic scene. “It’s going to be exciting and having the international players straightens out the competition,” he said. “The HRV Cup is going to be a hard fought competition. And it’s right in the middle of summer so we are going to get great crowds.”
The winner of the HRV Cup will secure a place in the 2010 Champions League. Whilst that is an incentive to play hard, Bell and the Firebirds will be taking the HRV Cup one game at a time to ensure they are successful. “The Champions League is a by product of playing well. We’d like to make the finals then take it from there. The Champions League is something we’ll think about later in the season.”
And it’s no rest for the team as they prepare for the one day competition between Christmas and New Year before the HRV Cup starts in January. Bell, however, is full of festive cheer. “I hope everyone has a merry Christmas and that they drive safely during the holiday season,” he concluded.
