TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT - NORTHERN DISTRICTS PLUNKET SHIELD 23 OCTOBER

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Northern Districts will front a strong side when they host the first round of the Plunket Shield against Central Districts at the Bay Oval.  Fresh from returning from the NZA tour of India, Scott Kuggeleijn and Tim Seifert will re-join the team and Anton Devcich and Daniel Flynn have returned to fitness having worked hard over winter to overcome leg and hip injuries.  

Northern Districts are confident of a solid start to the cricket season, with Head Coach James Pamment and Captain Daniel Flynn pleased with the preparation the team have put in during Spring Camp despite inclement weather interrupting preparation, Pamment saying "We are in good shape which is great at this time of year and the progression into skills has been good. We have been fortunate to get some sun on our backs and onto grass surfaces over the recent weeks of training which certainly helps as well."

Flynn is looking forward to getting back into cricket having missed most of last season, and says that his team is ready for their first challenge against CD "for the first game of the season everyone feels their way into it, but we are looking to hit the ground running with the prep we have put in."

Brent Arnel will appear in his first match for ND after four seasons with Wellington having previously played 56 first class games for Northern Districts.  BJ Watling will keep wickets for ND, with Tim Seifert featuring as a specialist batsman. Daryl Mitchell and Henry Cooper were not considered due to shoulder and hamstring injuries sustained recently.

Northern Districts vs Central Districts Stags:

Daniel Flynn (Captain), Bay of Plenty

Brent Arnel, Hamilton

James Baker, Hamilton

Dean Brownlie, Bay of Plenty

Anton Devcich, Hamilton

Zak Gibson, Waikato Valley

Scott Kuggeleijn, Hamilton

Bharat Popli, Bay of Plenty

Brett Randell, Northland

Tim Seifert, Waikato Valley

Josef Walker, Hamilton

BJ Watling, Hamilton (WK)

Round 1 of the Plunket Shield starts at 10.30am Monday 23 October at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui and is free entry.