The HRV Cup is getting closer by the day and the Volts are set to kick start preparations by welcoming overseas players Darren Stevens and Chris Nash to Dunedin.
Stevens arrives from the UK today and Nash tomorrow. Darren Stevens is a powerful striker of the ball and has the ability to bat anywhere in the order. He is also a more than useful medium pacer, who often opens the bowling for Kent. Stevens will make his first appearance on Otago soil when he turns out for Carisbrook Dunedin at Tonga Park in Dunedin club cricket on Saturday.
Chris Nash has been a regular member of the Sussex side that has dominated the limited over’s versions of the County scene in recent years. With Brendon McCullum playing for Sussex this season, Chris has come highly recommended as a middle order batsman and off spin bowler and will help fill the void when Nathan McCullum is away with the BLACKCAPS.
Both have had impressive Twenty20 seasons for their respective Counties, Nash scoring 299 runs at an average of 24.91 at a strike rate of 128.32 and taking 13 wickets at 17.39 with an economy rate of 6.84. Stevens managed 369 runs at an average of 41 with an impressive strike rate of 149.39 and also took 12 wickets at an average of a touch over 23.
The Volts have two days remaining in an important Plunket Shield clash with the Wellington Firebirds but at the conclusion of that match preparation will quickly get underway for the HRV Cup. Twenty20 trial matches are planned for the squad at the University Oval 2 ground on Monday and Tuesday the 29th and 30th of November before a warm up match against Canterbury on December 2.
The Volts HRV Cup campaign kicks off against the Wellington Firebirds on the 4th of December at the Basin Reserve. The team then has a series of home matches starting in Oamaru on December 8 before moving to Invercargill for matches on December 10 & 12.
Otago Cricket Marketing & Events Manager Andy McLean said “that welcoming Chris & Darren to New Zealand over the next few days was an exciting sign that the popular HRV Cup was just around the corner. We have been doing a lot of work with North Otago & Southland cricket and there is a real buzz of anticipation in both areas about the prospect of hosting three high quality domestic matches with some of the biggest names in the game over the next two weeks. Otago Cricket is extremely lucky to have so many high quality venues within it’s boundary and the games in Oamaru & Invercargill promise to be outstanding events.
The Volts conclude the competition between Christmas and the New Year with home matches in Alexandra and Queenstown.
Video Link – Interview with Chris Nash on his upcoming stint with the Otago Volts.
http://www.sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-tv/sctv-player/?m_sctv_moviesID=2658
For media opportunities with Darren or Chris please contact Andy McLean on 027-454-3187
