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The standout feature of the 2011/12 cricket season is that it’s a key opportunity for the New Zealand BLACKCAPS to boost their test ranking. With one of the world’s top test sides, South Africa, making a full tour in this summer’s National Bank Series, it’s a rare chance to take on the Proteas in our home conditions. Roll in the star-studded HRV Cup, a traditional Rose Bowl Series between the White Ferns and their great rivals Australia, and the new Ford Trophy and it’s a recipe for an exciting summer. Retain this guide for all the important dates at your fi ngertips – and enjoy!

PAGE 4 THE NATIONAL BANK SERIES PREVIEW

PAGE 6 IN PROFILE: BLACKCAP KANE WILLIAMSON

PAGE 9 NEW BLACKCAPS CAPTAIN ROSS TAYLOR

PAGE 10 THE NATIONAL BANK SERIES FIXTURES

PAGE 13 THE NATIONAL CRICKET CLUB

PAGE 14 SPECSAVERS VOLUNTEER UMPIRE COMP

PAGE 16 NEW ZEALAND BLACKCAPS PLAYER PROFILES

PAGE 18 WHITE FERNS SERIES PREVIEW

PAGE 20 WHITE FERNS FIXTURES

PAGE 23 HRV CUP COMPETITION PREVIEW

PAGE 24 HRV CUP FIXTURES

PAGE 26 DOMESTIC SEASON NEWS

PAGE 28 FORD TROPHY & PLUNKET SHIELD DATES

PAGE 30 ACTION CUP & TWENTY20 FIXTURES

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THE NATIONAL BANK SERIES PREVIEW

> WELCOME AND CONTENTS

S U M M E R O F C R I C K E T 2 0 1 1 / 1 2


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BLACKCAPS SEASON PREVIEWOUT OF AFRICA by Margot Butcher

4

Ross Taylor’s fi rst home summer in charge of the BLACKCAPS is set to be a hot one – and not only thanks to La Niña’s balmy humid days. South Africa’s Proteas are capable of exacting plenty of heat on their opponents on their own, as Michael Clarke’s Australians found out to their mortifi cation in South Africa last month.

The Australians barely had time to feel pleased with themselves for dismissing the world’s second-highest-ranked test side (after England) for just 96 when they themselves were wasted in the second innings for a freakish 47. And sure, the ball was seaming around like a horizontal yo-yo, Vernon Philander (8-78 in the match) taking one of the best hauls by any Protea on debut. Just don’t dismiss the role of attitude in this deeply-competitive side. In short, it goes, ‘Anything you can do, we can do better’.

South Africa last toured New Zealand in 2004, so to have them return in this summer’s National Bank Series is a welcome treat – against a promising BLACKCAPS line-up that mixes seasoned stars with fast-rising young talents like Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Taylor will be thrilled if the lower-ranked BLACKCAPS can dominate as handsomely as they did last time, when they ended a South African hot streak by

winning fi ve National Bank One-Day Internationals in a row, had the better of a drawn fi rst National Bank Test and claimed the second before the stung South Africans masterminded a memorable comeback, taking the fi nal match to share The National Bank Test Series honours.

Jake Oram remembers that series fondly for his maiden test century – batting at seven, but for most of the BLACKCAPS (save Dan Vettori, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills and Brendon McCullum) this is the fi rst time they’ll come up against Graeme Smith’s tough unit in this country. The 2012 Proteas are likely to feature familiar stars from 2004: Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher and Smith himself. Experience? Their current top seven batsmen have 600 tests between them, Kallis is one of only four players ever to top 12,000 test runs and the classy Boucher the only keeper with 500 test catches.

Before the Proteas touch down in mid-February, the BLACKCAPS need to make sure they put Zimbabwe away in the opening National Bank Series of the season. Having had a good look at each other in Zimbabwe over October, this rematch is the chance to prove who learnt the most from their recent test and ODI sparring – dominated by the BLACKCAPS, but not without joy for the Zimbabweans who scrapped their way to a one-wicket ODI win in Bulawayo. Bring it on.

Going head-to-head with his wicketkeeper-batsman rival Mark Boucher is certain to fi re up Brendon McCullum.

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Kane Williamson’s arrival on the international scene last summer had fans of classical cricket footwork and strokeplay beaming from ear to ear. The maestro-in-the-making quickly became the youngest BLACK-CAP to score a test century on debut – all the more impressive when you consider he did it in India, a notoriously diffi cult place to succeed as a visiting team.

FANCY FOOTWORK: batsman Kane Williamson is one of the BLACKCAPS’ fast-rising stars

Success fl owed quickly for Williamson in one-day inter-national cricket, too. Two centuries, the fi rst made on his maiden tour of Bangladesh last year (he’s the youngest Kiwi centurion in that format, too). His second, against Zimbabwe on the recent tour, was the second-fastest in New Zealand’s history, a 69-ball torrent statistically better-ed only by the big-hitting Craig McMillan who went ballis-tic at Seddon Park against Australia several years back.

And at 21, Williamson’s already logged up his fi rst full-on season as a County pro, invited to Gloucestershire where he even captained the team when the regular skip-per was unavailable and where he continued to develop his handy little right-arm offbreaks. But perhaps the nugget that says it all is that of all the thousands of New Zea-landers who have played fi rst-class cricket, Williamson is one of only two who racked up 1000 fi rst-class runs before they turned 20 – the other being one Martin David Crowe.

While his talent is clearly precocious, the personality is anything but. The secret of this likeable player’s success, it seems, rests not just on a natural talent, but on his ceaseless earnestness and devotion to learning about and fi ne-tuning his game.

Team-mates say that if they ever heard a dull tap-tap-tap sound emanating through their hotel walls at night, they knew it was just Kane practising his stance some more. Engage him in any sort of conversation about the art or mentality of batting and his elfi n eyes instantly light up.

Tauranga born and bred, Williamson hails from a big, sporty family – his sisters are crack volleyballers and father Brett represented Northern Districts Cricket at under-17 level. That was how Kane got the cricket bug: “I always practised with Dad, just nagging at him, inside, outside, wherever I could have a bat. I wasn’t even six! Our house backed onto a school fi eld and after a few years Dad ended up building nets there and putting in a pitch through Pub Charity – so that suited me quite nicely.”

South Africa, one of the cricket world’s top two test nations, has a stock of bowling fi repower that will be eager to test the rising young star in his fi rst National Bank Series against them this season.

So is he nervous, even just a tad? Williamson believes as long as he has his guitar to help him relax, he should be fi ne.

“When the pressure is on, rather than ‘handling’ the pressure, you almost ‘don’t register’ the pressure. And then you’re in the place to score runs.”

The secret of this likeable player’s success, it seems, rests not just on a natural talent, but on his ceaseless earnestness and devotion to learning about and fi ne-tuning his game.

IN FOCUS:KANE WILLIAMSON

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Did you know…

Ross Taylor has the most names of anyone who’s ever captained New Zealand. His full name is Luteru Ross Poutoa Lote Taylor.

Taylor received only 30 minutes’ notice the fi rst time he captained his country, standing in for Daniel Vettori who had developed a neck strain during warm-ups for a 2010 National Bank Series ODI against Australia. Despite the extra pressure, Taylor was man of the match, top-scoring with 70.

Like Stephen Fleming before him and Kane Williamson after him, Taylor captained New Zealand’s prestigious Under-19 team.

When Taylor made his highest ODI score, 131 not out, at the Cricket World Cup this year, he also got New Zealand to its highest-ever ODI total against Pakistan: 302.

Heading into the present series against Australia, Taylor had never made a test match duck.

Taylor scored 818 test match runs in the 2008 calendar year and 782 in 2009. In all New Zealand cricket history, only two players have bettered either of those tallies – John Reid in 1965 and Martin Crowe in 1985.

Taylor also broke the record for the fastest test century in New Zealand – by one ball – when he made three fi gures from 81 balls against Australia at Hamilton in 2010. The previous record had been set by Vettori four seasons earlier.

Taylor says he was “too small” growing up in Masterton to play rugby, “so I always wanted to be a BLACKCAP”. But he also wanted to be a farmer.

Taylor started playing organised cricket when he was fi ve and was hugely inspired by New Zealand’s 1992 World Cup campaign when he was eight.

As a fi ve-year-old playing for Lansdowne in Masterton, he took a wicket with the very fi rst ball he bowled.

Taylor was introduced to the sport by his father Neil, who had played junior representative cricket for Wairarapa as a bowler.

Taylor debuted for the Central Stags in the 2002/03 season – he turned 18 at the end of that summer.

Taylor may represent Central Districts in domestic cricket, but he and his wife Victoria – a former Northern Spirit player – live in the eye of Northern Districts territory, Hamilton.

They got married the same week that Taylor was named as Vettori’s successor as captain of the BLACKCAPS.

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THE NATIONAL BANK SERIES: ZIMBABWE IN NEW ZEALANDSaturday 21-Monday 23 January 10.30am Zimbabwe v NZ XI Harry Barker Reserve GisborneThursday 26-Monday 30 January 10.30am Test McLean Park NapierFriday 3 February 11.00am ODI #1 University Oval Dunedin Monday 6 February 11.00am ODI #2 Cobham Oval WhangareiThursday 9 February 2.00pm ODI #3 McLean Park Napier Saturday 11 February 7.00pm Twenty20 #1 Eden Park Auckland Tuesday 14 February 7.00pm Twenty20 #2 Seddon Park Hamilton

THE NATIONAL BANK SERIES: SOUTH AFRICA IN NEW ZEALANDWednesday 15 February 4.00pm SA v Canterbury Wizards Hagley Oval ChristchurchFriday 17 February 7.00pm Twenty20 #1 Westpac Stadium WellingtonSunday 19 February 7.00pm Twenty20 #2 Seddon Park HamiltonWednesday 22 February 7.00pm Twenty20 #3 Eden Park AucklandSaturday 25 February 2.00pm ODI #1 Westpac Stadium WellingtonWednesday 29 February 2.00pm ODI #2 McLean Park NapierSaturday 3 March 2.00pm ODI #3 Eden Park Auckland Wednesday 7-Sunday 11 March 10.30am Test #1 University Oval Dunedin Thursday 15-Monday 19 March 10.30am Test #2 Seddon Park Hamilton Friday 23-Tuesday 27 March 10.30am Test #3 Basin Reserve Wellington

Details & updates: see www.blackcaps.co.nz

New Zealand’s premier international cricket showcase has an all-African theme this year with back-to-back National Bank Series against Zimbabwe and South Africa. The programme includes the fi rst-ever international cricket fi xture to be played at Whangarei’s Cobham Oval, on Waitangi Day.

NZ’S PREMIER CRICKET SHOWCASE:THE NATIONAL BANK SERIES

South Africansporting superstar Jacques Kallis

Nathan McCullum’s batting power strengthens

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THE NATIONAL CRICKET CLUB –SUPPORTING CRICKET AT EVERY LEVEL

Do you want more from your summer of cricket? Would you like assistance in support-ing or playing our summer game? Are you a young per-son wanting to get the extra edge? ANZ National Bank is proud to be continuing their support of cricket through the National Cricket Club (NCC), designed to support the fans and cricket community so everyone can play and enjoy our great game.

TOP: The National Bank NCC Ambassador Shane Bond coaching junior cricket players at the 2010/11 NCC Super Camps. ABOVE: Ormond School were lucky recipients of a $1,500 grant from the NCC Grant Scheme to help fund a new cricket wicket, presented by The National Bank.

WHEN AND WHEREThursday 2 February – Dunedin

Monday 27 February – Napier

Thursday 1 March – Auckland

Wednesday 14 March – Hamilton

Tuesday 20 March – Wellington

The NCC is for all cricket lovers. Whether you play at the highest club level, take in a few overs down at the park or cheer from the stands, the NCC has something for you.

What’s more, fast-bowling legend Shane Bond is joining us again this summer as the National Bank’s NCC ambassador, so take your lead straight

from one of New Zealand’s cricket greats.

NCC GRANT SCHEMEThis season The National Bank is stumping up with a total of $100,000 in grants for clubs, schools, social teams and fans. You can apply for bats, balls, net repairs, shirts to wear at BLACKCAPS matches – whatever you need.

Visit nationalcricketclub.co.nz for more information including terms and conditions.

Apply online telling us why your team, your club or your mates deserve a grant and you could be in business.Ensure your friends vote online in support of your application.

NCC SUPER CAMPS

The National Bank is giving young players and coaches the opportunity to get batting, bowling and fielding tips from some of New Zealand’s top coaches, then enjoy a barbecue and a chance to meet Shane Bond and some of the BLACKCAPS.

Whether you’re a player wanting some pointers or a coach who wants to get the best from your team, our NCC Super Camps will help you develop your skills and get you closer to your heroes this summer. Best of all, it won’t cost you a cent. Spots are limited. Go to nationalcricketclub.co.nz now to secure your place.

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1 41 4

EYE ON THE BALLPICK NZ’s FAVOURITE KIWI CRICKET UMPIRE

Kiwi volunteer cricket umpires are the driving force behind the success of our favourite summertime sport, working tirelessly in their communities to support club cricket.

To reward these un-sung heroes Specsavers and New Zealand Cricket are launching a nationwide competi-tion in search of “New Zealand’s Favourite Kiwi Cricket Umpire”.

New Zealand interna-tional cricket umpire and member of the Elite Panel of ICC Um-pires Tony Hill says, “I remember all the hours and dedication it takes to be a local volun-tary cricket umpire, it’s a huge investment of time and energy. This competition will re-cognise these unsung heroes of New Zealand cricket, the mentors in the background who inspire and motivate our budding cricket stars.

“I am looking forward to receiving a mountain of entries from people around the country who want to nominate their most deserving cricket umpire.”

The competition calls for people to nominate their favourite local voluntary cricket umpire and will run from November 2011 through to January 2012.

Graeme Edmond, Specsavers New Zealand Managing Director, says Specsavers has been supporting domestic cricket umpires since 2010 and this competition is an opportunity to also reward those who ‘volunteer’ their

time to club cricket throughout the country.

“Volunteers are the ones who make the cogs turn in our local communities. In cricket, they do much the same and are one of the driving forces behind the success of the sport. It’s fantastic that we are giving them the appreciation and a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t they deserve in this competition,” Edmond says.

“We are looking for someone who actively demonstrates a special dedication to the growth and participa-tion of cricket in their

community. Pretty much an inspiring and encouraging volunteer cricket umpire whose club believes is deserving of a national award.”

Six fi nalists will be selected from around the country and from this group a national winner will be announced.

A range of exciting prizes is up for grabs, including a one-on-one training session with a high-profi le cricket umpire; tickets to international cricket games in New Zealand; $1000 cash; and BLACKCAPS gear.

Those who nominate their favourite local cricket umpire also go into the draw to win fantastic spot prizes.

Communities are encouraged to nominate their favou-rite local umpire by visiting www.specsavers.co.nz/competition or getting information from your local cricket club or Specsavers stores nationwide. Entries close on 9 January 2012.

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Meet the 20 players contracted to New Zealand Cricket for the 2011/12 season. Key statistics are to the start of the BLACKCAPS’ current season-opening tour of Australia. For up to date information on the BLACKCAPS visit www.blackcaps.co.nz * Denotes Not Out

PLAYER PROFILES:NEW ZEALAND BLACKCAPS

ROSS TAYLOR, CAPTAINBorn: 8 March 1984Right-hand bat, right-arm off-break

NZ debut: 2006Test batting average: 42.37Test 50s: 14; 100s: 5ODI batting average: 37.47ODI 50s: 20; 100s: 5; T20i best: 63 First-class high score: 217

HAMISH BENNETTBorn: 22 February 1987Right-arm medium fast, left-hand bat

NZ debut: 2010Test record: 1 test, 0 wicketsODI record: 12 matches, 20 wicketsODI best: 4-16ODI strike rate: 2.4

TRENT BOULTBorn: 22 July 1989Left-arm medium-fast, right-hand bat

Yet to make international cricket debutFirst-class record: 65 wickets at 24.52First-class 5wi: 4; best 5-35One-day record: 26 wickets at 33.11One-day bowling strike rate: 37.1

NEIL BROOMBorn: 20 November 1983Right-hand bat, right-arm medium

NZ debut: 2009Yet to play test cricketODI record: 22 matches at 17.52 ODI 50s: 1T20i best: 58First-class high score: 203*

DANIEL FLYNNBorn: 16 April 1985Left-hand bat, left-arm slow

NZ debut: 2008Test batting average: 28.70Test 50s: 4ODI batting average: 15.18ODI 50s: 0 from 13 inningsFirst-class high score: 241

MARTIN GUPTILLBorn: 30 September 1986Right-hand bat, right-arm off-break

NZ debut: 2009Test batting average: 36.31Test 50s: 6; 100s: 2ODI batting average: 38.06ODI 50s: 12; 100s: 2T20i best: 67; First-class high score: 195*

CHRIS MARTINBorn: 10 December 1974Right-arm fast-medium, right-hand bat

NZ debut: 2000Test wickets: 202 at 34.94Test best: innings 6-54; match 11-180ODI wickets: 18 at 44.66First-class wickets: 543 at 31.77

BRENDON McCULLUMBorn: 27 September 1981Right-hand bat, ODI wicketkeeper

NZ debut: 2002Test batting average: 36.70Test 50s: 19; 100s: 6; Test high score: 225ODI batting strike rate: 88.91ODI 50s: 20; 100s: 3T20i best: 116*

NATHAN McCULLUMBorn: 1 September 1980Right-hand bat, right-arm off-break

NZ debut: 2009Yet to play test cricketODI 50s: 3ODI wickets: 21 at 45.90ODI Best: 3-24 First-class high score: 106*

ANDY MCKAYBorn: 17 April 1980Left-arm fast-medium

NZ debut: 2010Test wickets: 1 from 1 testODI wickets: 27 at 26.48ODI best: 4-53First-class wickets: 103 at 30.25

Meet the 20 players contracted to New Zealand Cricket for the 2011/12 season. Key statistics are to the start of the

1 7

DANIEL VETTORIBorn: 27 January 1979Left-arm orthodox spin, left-hand bat

NZ debut: 1997, now a test specialistTest wickets: 353 at 33.61Test best: innings 7-87; match 12-149Test batting average: 30.27Test 50s: 22; 100s: 6Test high score: 140

B J WATLINGBorn: 9 July 1985Right-hand bat, fi elder/wicketkeeper

NZ debut: 2009Test batting average: 24.50; Test 50s: 1 ODI 50s: 1; One-day domestic high score: 145*First-class high score: 164*

KANE WILLIAMSONBorn: 8 August 1990Right-hand bat, right-arm off-break

NZ debut: 2010Test batting average: 37.81Test 50s: 3; 100s: 1ODI batting average: 38.83ODI 100s: 2First-class high score: 284*

LUKE WOODCOCKBorn: 19 March 1982Slow left-arm orthodox, left-hand bat

NZ debut: 2010Yet to play test cricketODI best: 2-58T20i best: 1-30First-class high score: 220*First-class best: 4-3

REECE YOUNGBorn: 15 September 1979Wicketkeeper, right-hand bat

NZ debut: 2011Test batting average: 36.75Test 50s: 1Yet to play ODI cricketFirst-class high score: 121*

KYLE MILLSBorn: 15 March 1979Right-arm fast-medium, right-hand bat

NZ debut: 2001Test wickets: 44 at 33.02Test best: innings 4-16; match 6-77Test 50s: 1ODI wickets: 192 at 26.18ODI best: 5-25; ODI 50s: 2

ROB NICOLBorn: 28 May 1983Right-hand bat, right-arm medium, right-arm off-break

NZ debut: 2011; Yet to play test cricketODI high score: 108*; ODI 100s: 1ODI batting strike rate: 78.44First-class high score: 160

JACOB ORAMBorn: 28 July 1978Right-arm medium, left-hand bat

NZ debut: 2001, now ODI/T20i specialistODI wickets: 165 at 29.02ODI best: 5-26ODI 50s: 12; 100s: 1ODI batting strike rate: 85.21T20i best: 66*

JESSE RYDERBorn: 6 August 1984Left-hand bat, right-arm medium

NZ debut: 2008Test batting average: 44.85Test 50s: 6; 100s: 3ODI batting strike rate: 90.26 ODI 50s, 6; 100s: 2T20i best: 62; First-class high score: 236

TIM SOUTHEEBorn: 11 December 1988Right-arm medium-fast, right-hand bat

NZ debut: 2008Test wickets: 32 at 45.24Test best: innings 5-55; match 6-150Test high score: 77*ODI wickets: 30 at 30.74ODI best: 5-33

Meet the 20 players contracted to New Zealand Cricket for the 2011/12 season. Key statistics are to the start of the BLACKCAPS’ current season-opening tour of Australia. For up to date information on the BLACKCAPS visit www.blackcaps.co.nz * Denotes Not Out

PLAYER PROFILES:NEW ZEALAND BLACKCAPS


1 8

New Zealand’s top women’s cricketers will be testing themselves against the best this season with extend-ed series against their two keenest rivals on the world circuit.

Annual battles against Australia for the Rose Bowl have been generally torrid clashes ever since they started in 1985 – and there will be no love lost between the TransTasman foes when the White Ferns travel to Australia in January for an eight-match away series.

Last summer the entire Rose Bowl was meant to play out in New Zealand and was locked at two-all after the opening Twenty20s. But the series was left hanging after the devastating Christchurch earthquake in February halted proceedings – the White Ferns had been load-ing their gear outside their hotel in Cathedral Square just as it struck, people screaming and rubble tumbling around them.

Australia picked up the ball and offered to host the three remaining matches midyear, with the White Ferns stopping off in Brisbane en route to their winter tour of England. That produced a washout and two wins to the Australians to leave the White Ferns 4-2 all-up on the wrong side of the ledger.

Now once again the White Ferns will take on the Aussies across the ditch, the Rose Bowl Series rematch centred on New South Wales this time with a fi nale at Melbourne’s MCG. And, almost as soon as those bragging rights are sorted out, they’ll be back home pitting themselves

against the side that recently completed a clean sweep in both the ODI and Twenty20 formats on tour in South Africa and, before that, gave as good as they got in the off-season quadrangular tourney in England.

Unlike the White Ferns, England didn’t end up making the tournament fi nal (which New Zealand lost to India), but it won’t be forgotten that they thumped the Ferns in both their round robin matches.

England, after all, are the current World Champions after pipping the White Ferns in the 2009 ICC World Cup fi nal in Australia and have a fearsomely experienced top and middle order, with three of the game’s highest-ranked batters – left-hander Lydia Greenway, Charlotte Edwards (the 32-year-old who made her debut against New Zealand at 16) and rising star Sarah Taylor – often leading the way.

The White Ferns, meanwhile, are without three of their star performers of recent years: former captain Aimee Mason and allrounder Nicola Browne are retired from international cricket now (though Browne still plays for Northern Spirit), while pace bowler and general dynamo Sophie Devine is unavailable due to her Olympic hockey ambitions. But to call the side young and rebuilding would be a stretch, with key talents like Sara McGlashan, allrounder Lucy Doolan and Suzie Bates making the Ferns a side to be reckoned with.

With the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 showdown coming up in Sri Lanka this year and the 2013 ICC Women’s World Cup in India fast approaching, there’s certainly no better opportunity than this home season for the White Ferns to score some early points over two of the greater obstacles in their path.

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White Fern Sara McGlashan

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ROSE BOWL IN AUSTRALIAFriday 20 January 2.45pm local time Twenty20 #1 White Ferns v Australia North SydneySaturday 21 January 2.45pm local time Twenty20 #2 White Ferns v Australia North SydneySunday 22 January 2.45pm local time Twenty20 #3 White Ferns v Australia North Sydney Wednesday 25 January 10.00am local time ODI #1 White Ferns v Australia Sydney, SCGFriday 27 January 10.00am local time ODI #2 White Ferns v Australia Blacktown, NSW Sunday 29 January 10.00am local time ODI #3 White Ferns v Australia Blacktown, NSWWednesday 1 February 2.05pm local time Twenty20 #4 White Ferns v Australia Sydney, Homebush BayFriday 3 February 2.05pm local time Twenty20 #5 White Ferns v Australia Melbourne, MCG

ENGLAND IN NEW ZEALANDSaturday 11 February 10.30am One-day warm-up v NZC Emerging Players Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe OvalMonday 13 February 2.00pm T20 warm-up v NZC Emerging Players Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe OvalTuesday 14 February 2.00pm T20 warm-up v NZC Emerging Players Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe OvalFriday 17 February 2.45pm Twenty20 #1 * v White Ferns Wellington Westpac StadiumSunday 19 February 2.45pm Twenty20 #2 * v White Ferns Hamilton Seddon ParkWednesday 22 February 2.45pm Twenty20 #3 * v White Ferns Auckland Eden ParkSaturday 25 February 2.00pm Twenty20 #4 v White Ferns Invercargill Queens ParkSunday 26 February 2.00pm Twenty20 #5 v White Ferns Invercargill Queens ParkThursday 1 March 10.30am ODI #1 v White Ferns Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe OvalSaturday 3 March 10.30am ODI #2 v White Ferns Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe OvalMonday 5 March 10.30am ODI #3 v White Ferns Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe Oval

* Curtainraisers to the BLACKCAPS’ National Bank Series T20i matches v South Africa

NEW ZEALAND’S WHITE FERNSWOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES

Australia’s Ellyse Perry is a football and cricket double international.

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With the HRV Cup returning to a high-summer timeslot this season and the BLACKCAPS available for the entire 10-round competition, the country’s premium Twenty20 cricket festival is set to be a showstopper – and it’s not just spectators and holiday-makers gearing up for the fun.

“I always look forward to the HRV Cup,” says BLACKCAP Trent Boult, who represents the Yahoo!NZ Northern Knights. “The domestic crowds and the televised games have a great atmosphere and that spurs you on to giving your best performance”.

Captaining the young swing bowler and his pink-uniformed team-mates this season will be Scott Styris, plying his trade as a Twenty20 specialist these days and, ultra-competitive to his pink bones, determined that the Knights will fi nally get to lift the HRV Cup trophy under his watch.

Last season that honour went to Gareth Hopkins and the Auckland Aces, whose consistency saw them drop just

two games en route to a thrilling fi nal encounter with the Central Stags – Jamie How’s Stags fi nishing an agonising four runs short of the title and a ticket to the lucrative Champions League as New Zealand’s domestic Twenty20 winner.

Andre Adams kicked off last season with an ebullient 5-20, fi gures no bowler could top throughout the comp. He’s back giving gist to the Aces as an overseas player (thanks to his County career) and joining Pakistan international Azhar Mahmood on the Aces’ roster. Mahmood’s all-round game featured strongly for Kent – one of the top County sides in England’s Twenty20 comp this year.

Stephen Fleming’s infl uence helped the Wellington Firebirds sign a rock star of their own in Muttiah Muralidharan: fans will be keen to catch the masterful Sri Lankan spinner during the fi ve rounds for which he’s on show before he returns home for the impending birth of his child.

The Firebirds have also signed Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor and Durham captain Rory Hamilton-Brown. Meanwhile the Canterbury Wizards sprang a surprise by signing former Stag Brendon Diamanti, who played for the BLACKCAPS at the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup and whose lower-order aggression suits the short form of the game.

Durham pace bowler Mitchell Claydon returns for another campaign too, “providing options with the new ball; and a very effective bowler at the end of an innings,” notes coach Bob Carter.

After loading their roster with big-hitting Australians and Herschelle Gibbs last summer, the Yahoo!NZ Northern Knights have opted for greater stability, backing home-grown players this season.

And why not, with three IPL players in their ranks already (Styris, Tim Southee and Dan Vettori) – plus the services of designated overseas player Hamish Marshall, a lynch-pin of the batting and fi elding since 1998.

That’s the beauty of having all the BLACKCAPS available for the entire competition: teams will be at their strong-est, rivalries at their fi ercest, and holiday spots from Mount Maunganui to Queenstown set to come alive with the big-hitting, all-action form of the game at its best.

Lou Vincent sprays the champagne after

the Auckland Aces take the 2010/11 title.

HRV CUP:THE STARS COME OUT TO PLAY


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FIXTURES 2011/12:HRV CUP

ROUND 1 Sunday 18 December 2.00pm Auckland Aces v Wellington Firebirds Colin Maiden Park Auckland Sky Sport 2.00pm Canterbury Wizards v Northern Knights MainPower Oval Rangiora 2.00pm Otago Volts v Central Stags University Oval Dunedin

ROUND 2 Monday 26 December 5.00pm Auckland Aces v Northern Knights Colin Maiden Park Auckland Sky SportTuesday 27 December 2.00pm Canterbury Wizards v Otago Volts Aorangi Oval Timaru 2.00pm Wellington Firebirds v Central Stags Basin Reserve Wellington Sky Sport

ROUND 3 Wednesday 28 December 2.00pm Wellington Firebirds v Auckland Aces Basin Reserve Wellington Sky SportThursday 29 December 5.00pm Otago Volts v Northern Knights University Oval Dunedin 5.00pm Central Stags v Canterbury Wizards Pukekura Park New Plymouth Sky Sport

ROUND 4 Friday 30 December 5.00pm Central Stags v Auckland Aces Pukekura Park New Plymouth Sky SportSaturday 31 December 2.00pm Northern Knights v Canterbury Wizards Blake Park Mt Maunganui Sky Sport 2.00pm Otago Volts v Wellington Firebirds Events Centre Queenstown

ROUND 5 Monday 2 January 5.00pm Central Stags v Otago Volts Saxton Oval NelsonTuesday 3 January 2.00pm Canterbury Wizards v Auckland Aces MainPower Oval Rangiora Sky SportWednesday 4 January 5.00pm Northern Knights v Firebirds Blake Park Mt Maunganui Sky Sport

ROUND 6 Thursday 5 January 5.00pm Northern Knights v Central Stags Blake Park Mt Maunganui Sky SportFriday 6 January 2.00pm Wellington Firebirds v Canterbury Wizards Basin Reserve Wellington 5.00pm Auckland Aces v Otago Volts Colin Maiden Park Auckland Sky Sport

ROUND 7 Sunday 8 January 12.00pm Wellington Firebirds v Otago Volts Basin Reserve Wellington 2.00pm Canterbury Wizards v Central Stags MainPower Oval Rangiora Sky Sport 4.00pm Northern Knights v Auckland Aces Blake Park Mt Maunganui

ROUND 8 Wednesday 11 January 5.00pm Wellington Firebirds v Northern Knights Basin Reserve Wellington Sky SportThursday 12 January 5.00pm Auckland Aces v Central Stags Colin Maiden Park Auckland Sky SportFriday 13 January 5.00pm Otago Volts v Canterbury Wizards University Oval Dunedin Sky Sport

ROUND 9 Saturday 14 January 5.00pm Central Stags v Northern Knights McLean Park Napier Sky SportSunday 15 January 2.00pm Canterbury Wizards v Wellington Firebirds Hagley Oval Christchurch 2.00pm Otago Volts v Auckland Aces University Oval Dunedin Sky Sport

ROUND 10 Tuesday 17 January 5.00pm Auckland Aces v Canterbury Wizards Colin Maiden Park Auckland Sky SportWednesday 18 January 5.00pm Central Stags v Wellington Firebirds Pukekura Park New Plymouth Sky SportThursday 19 January 5.30pm Northern Knights v Otago Volts Seddon Park Hamilton Sky Sport

FINAL Sunday 22 January TBA Sky Sport

RESERVE DAY Monday 23 January Sky Sport

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.

10.

Just make sure they play to your advantage as you could soon be hosting the match of your life. The inaugural HRV Backyard Cricket Cup is up for grabs, you just have to beat the BLACKCAPS on your home turf to win it. So mow your pitch, master your in-swinger, and

visit facebook.com/hrvcup to enter

YOUR BACKYARD, YOUR RULES

MY RULES

HR

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six-point win in the remaining single-innings contest, with no bonus points on offer.

A new sponsor for the men’s one-day comp – now The Ford Trophy – brings the recognition it deserves. Last season’s high-scoring fi nal in Christchurch between the Wizards and Aces was one of the showcase matches of the season: two teams scoring well over 300 with barely a current BLACKCAP in sight.

Lou Vincent and Rob Nicol powered to hundreds for their respective teams and the Aces won by a skinny and thrilling six runs. All up, 15 one-day centuries were scored in the hard-fought comp that will again unfold over eight regular rounds this summer before high-pressure semi-fi nal playoffs sort out the last men standing.

Domestic cricket dominates the women’s calendar until the New Year – the twin national competitions fi nishing earlier than usual to accommodate the White Ferns’ Rose Bowl series.

The six women’s teams meet each other in round robins played over three consecutive days. Action Cricket Twenty20 games are played on the fi rst and third days with Action Cricket Cup 50-over matches contested on the middle day.

Last season, perennial contenders the Canterbury Magicians conjured up the double, edging out Wellington’s Blaze in both national fi nals. With the Auck-land Hearts and Northern Spirit “rebuilding” their strength, on paper the Blaze (under new coach Leigh Kelly) still look to be one of Canterbury’s bigger threats, with three current White Ferns plus the services of England inter-national Sarah Taylor.

However, last season’s New Zealand Women’s Domestic Player of the Year and leading Action Cricket Cup wicket-taker Sophie Devine is unavailable for the Blaze this summer, swapping her cricket bat for a hockey stick as she endeavours to make the Blacksticks’ 2012 London Olympics team.

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Round 5 Fri 17-Mon 20 Feb 10.30am Knights v Stags Gisborne Harry Barker Reserve Wizards v Firebirds Rangiora MainPower Oval Volts v Aces Dunedin University Oval

Round 6 Fri 24-Mon 27 Feb 10.30am Aces v Firebirds Auckland Colin Maiden Park Wizards v Knights Rangiora MainPower Oval Volts v Stags Queenstown Events Centre

Round 7 Fri 2-Mon 5 Mar 10.30am Stags v Aces Napier McLean Park Knights v Volts Hamilton Seddon Park Firebirds v Wizards Wellington Hawkins Basin Reserve

Round 8 Fri 9-Mon 12 Mar 10.30am Aces v Volts Auckland Colin Maiden Park Stags v Wizards Nelson Saxton Oval Firebirds v Knights Wellington Hawkins Basin Reserve

Round 9 Sun 18-Wed 21 Mar 10.30am Aces v Knights Auckland Colin Maiden Park Volts v Wizards Dunedin University Oval Firebirds v Stags Wellington Karori Park

Round 10 Mon 26-Thu 29 Mar 10.30am Wizards v Aces Auckland Colin Maiden Park Stags v Knights Napier Nelson Park Volts v Firebirds Dunedin University Oval

DOMESTIC FIXTURES 2011/12

KEY:Men’s teams:

Auckland Aces, Northern Knights,

Central Stags, Wellington Firebirds, Canterbury Wizards,

Otago Volts. Women’s teams:

Auckland Hearts, Northern Spirit,

Central Hinds, Wellington Blaze,

Canterbury Magicians, Otago Sparks.

Details and updates: www.blackcaps.co.nz

PLUNKET SHIELD

Men’s four-day fi rst-class competition. Rounds 1-4 complete. Match results and points table at www.blackcaps.co.nz/domestic


* Details will be updated at www.blackcaps.co.nz

** New Plymouth, Pukekura Park, subject to confi rmation.

Round 4 Sun 11 December 11.00am Wizards v Firebirds Timaru Aorangi Oval Knights v Stags Hamilton Seddon Park Volts v Aces Dunedin University Oval

Round 5 Wed 14 December 11.00am Aces v Wizards Auckland Colin Maiden Park Stags v Volts Nelson Saxton Oval Firebirds v Knights Wellington Hawkins Basin Reserve

Round 6 Thurs 26 January 11.00am Aces v Knights Auckland Colin Maiden Park Volts v Stags Invercargill Queens Park Firebirds v Wizards Wellington Hawkins Basin Reserve

Round 7 Sun 29 January 11.00am Aces v Firebirds Auckland Colin Maiden Park Wizards v Stags Rangiora Mainpower Oval Knights v Volts Hamilton Seddon Park

Round 8 Wed 1 February 11.00am Wizards v Knights Rangiora Mainpower Oval Stags v Aces TBA ** Volts v Firebirds Invercargill Queens Park

PRELIMS Sun 5 February 11.00am Number 1 v Number 2 Qualifi er TBA * Sky Sport Number 3 v Number 4 Qualifi er TBA * Sky Sport Wed 8 February 11.00am (Loser 1 v 2) v (Winner 3 v 4) TBA *

FINAL Sun 12 February 11.00am TBA TBA * Sky Sport

FORD TROPHY Men’s one-day competition. Rounds 1-3 complete. Match results and points table at www.blackcaps.co.nz/domestic

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Round 4 Sun 11 December 10.00am Blaze v Spirit Upper Hutt Barton Oval 10.30am Hinds v Magicians Hastings Cornwall Park Hearts v Sparks Auckland Melville Park

Round 5 Tues 27 December 4.00pm Magicians v Blaze Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe Oval Hinds v Hearts Lincoln Lincoln No. 3 Ground Spirit v Sparks Lincoln Lincoln Green

Round 6 Thurs 29 December 10.00am Magicians v Blaze Lincoln Lincoln No. 3 Ground Hinds v Hearts Lincoln Lincoln Green Spirit v Sparks Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe Oval

Round 7 Sun 1 January 2.00pm Magicians v Spirit Christchurch Hagley Oval Blaze v Hearts Wellington Kelburn Park 4.00pm Sparks v Hinds Dunedin University Oval

Round 8 Tues 3 January 10.00am Magicians v Spirit Christchurch Hagley Oval Blaze v Hearts Wellington Kelburn Park 10.30am Sparks v Hinds Dunedin University Oval

Round 9 Sat 7 January 4.00pm Hinds v Blaze Palmerston Nth Fitzherbert Park Magicians v Sparks Christchurch Redwood Park Spirit v Hearts Hamilton Seddon Park

Round 10 Mon 9 January 10.00am Magicians v Sparks Christchurch Redwood Park Spirit v Hearts Hamilton Seddon Park 10.30am Hinds v Blaze Palmerston Nth Fitzherbert Park

FINAL Sun 15 January TBA

ACTION CRICKET CUP 2011/12 Women’s one-day competition. Rounds 1-2 complete. Match results and points table at www.blackcaps.co.nz/women

Round 3 Wed 28 December 10.30am Magicians v Blaze Lincoln Bert Sutcliffe Oval Hinds v Hearts Lincoln Lincoln No. 3 Ground Spirit v Sparks Lincoln Lincoln Green

Round 4 Mon 2 January 10.30am Magicians v Spirit Christchurch Hagley Oval Blaze v Hearts Wellington Kelburn Park Sparks v Hinds Dunedin University Oval

Round 5 Sun 8 January 10.30am Hinds v Blaze Palmerston Nth Fitzherbert Park Magicians v Sparks Christchurch Redwood Park Spirit v Hearts Hamilton Seddon Park

FINAL Sat 14 January 10.30am TBA

ACTION CRICKET TWENTY20 2011/12 Women’s T20 competition. Rounds 1-3 complete. Match results and points table at www.blackcaps.co.nz/women

NZC UMPIRES 2011/12 Elite Panel: Gary Baxter, Chris Gaffaney, Phil Jones, Wayne Knights, Derek Walker, Barry Frost, Evan Watkin, Tim Parlane.

A Panel: Phil Agent, Hiran Perera, Evan Gray, Mike George, Chris Brown, Ash Mehrotra, Mark Elliott, David Reid, David Paterson, Peter Spall, Peter Gasston, Tony Gillies.

Emerging Panel: Paul Anderson, Glen Walklin, Shaun Ryan, David Tidmarsh, Kathy Cross, Raoul Allen, John Bromley, Garth Stirrat, Johann Fourie, Aaron Hardie.

Canterbury captain Amy Satterthwaite

celebrates with wicketkeeper

Mandie Godliman the wicket of

Wellington’s Andrea Stockwell.

The NationalCricket ClubSupporting all levels of cricket with training and fi nancial help.

Want more from your summer of cricket? Visit nationalcricketclub.co.nz for information on our Super Camps and Grant Scheme.

The National Bank, part of ANZ National Bank Limited.Every Player, Every Club, Every Level

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