While the ICC Cricket World Cup will take pre-eminence this season, the Twenty20 game has well and truly bedded into the New Zealand game, and the December window for the HRV Cup should see the usual thrills and spills, writes Andrew Alderson, for the official NZ cricket magazine.
Auckland Aces
The Auckland Aces have gone for the experience of Andre Adams (technically back as an overseas player) and his namesake Jimmy, the Hampshire left-hand opening batsman, who was top runscorer in the English Twenty20 this season. Auckland also has some quality younger players on the cusp with all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme being at the forefront.
Northern Knights
The Northern Knights have assembled a star international T20 batting cast of Herschelle Gibbs, David Warner and Brad Hodge. The idea is for them to complement a bowling attack which at any one time could include BLACKCAPS Daniel Vettori, Brent Arnel, Tim Southee and Scott Styris or veterans Graeme Aldridge, Joseph Yovich and Bradley Scott.
Central Stags
The Central Stags have opted for the English all-rounder combination of Michael Yardy and Ian Blackwell to back up a strong young bowling attack which could feature Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne and Ben Wheeler and renowned batting stocks in Ross Taylor, Jamie How, Mathew Sinclair and Peter Ingram.
Wellington Firebirds
The Wellington Firebirds have taken up Brett Lee’s pace services. He could share the new ball with Andy McKay. England’s Luke Wright will have all-rounder responsibilities chipping in with seasoned campaigners like James Franklin, Grant Elliott and Jesse Ryder.
Canterbury Wizards
The Canterbury Wizards have injected Shaun Tait into their mix, fitness tests permitting, as well as successful but relatively unknown Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate. They also have some strong younger prospects in wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham (son of former BLACKCAPS Rod), all-rounder Corey Anderson and bowler Hamish Bennett (provided he can get over his groin injury smartly). Also watch out for batsman Dean Brownlie who shone on the emerging players’ trip to Australia and came close to BLACKCAPS selection.
Otago Volts
The Otago Volts have signed Kent’s Darren Stevens and Sussex’s Chris Nash after their impressive performances at T20 level in England. They will look to ease into an experienced structure which includes the McCullum brothers, Brendon and Nathan, batsmen Craig Cumming, Neil Broom and Aaron Redmond and pace bowlers Neil Wagner and Warren McSkimming.
TWENTY20 FACTS
Key dates
HRV Cup: December 2-January 2
T20 Internationals v Pakistan: December 26, 28, 30
IPL auction: January 8-9
Overseas players for each team
Auckland Aces: Andre Adams, Jimmy Adams (England)
Northern Knights: Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa), Brad Hodge, David Warner (both Australia)
Central Stags: Michael Yardy, Ian Blackwell (both England)
Wellington Firebirds: Brett Lee (Australia), Luke Wright (England)
Canterbury Wizards: Shaun Tait (Australia), Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands), Johan van der Wath (South Africa), Mitchell Claydon (England)
Otago Volts: Darren Stevens, Chris Nash (both England)
Past Twenty20 winners
Central Stags: 2007/08, 2009/10
Otago Volts: 2008/09
Auckland Aces: 2006/07
Canterbury Wizards: 2005/06
Andrew Alderson writes for the official NZ Cricket Season Guide, available in good bookshops now.
