As well as being the manager of the Gisborne Thistle football team in the Central Federation League, Majstrovic — who became a father last year — also donned the goalkeeping gloves when regular custodian Mark Baple was injured.
HSOB open their DJ Barry Cup 40-over game against beaten Doleman Cup finalists Bollywood Stars, who include former HSOB players.
“Potentially, we’re looking good, with Sam and Robbie Tallott both available, and Carl Shaw (former Poverty Bay opening batsmen) back for a few games,” Majstrovic said.
“Jak Rowe is in town and will lead the bowling attack. Unfortunately, we won’t have Matt Jefferd or Glen Udall . . . they’re both away this week.”
The return of Bay strike bowler Rowe from police training in Wellington is a huge boost for HSOB and could be bad news for the Stars.
Rowe is one of the most promising young medium-pace bowlers to come out of the district in recent years.
On song, he is almost unplayable and will give the Stars batsmen a hurry-up.
Majstrovic and former HSOB players Amit Vyas, Ajay Kumar and Gary Singh were the main instigators of the Stars being formed.
“We’ve battled hard alongside the Stars to return the competition to eight teams, and were thrilled when they made the Doleman Cup final,” Majstrovic said.
“It would have been good for cricket for them to win the final but making the final was a great effort.
“We’re looking forward to a good, friendly game tomorrow.”
Stars vice-captain Kumar said his players were over the loss and had set their sights on winning the DJ Barry Cup.
“Apart from Aman Kamboj, we’ve got the majority of the squad who played last year.
“Getting to the Doleman Cup final was great and it’s made us more hungry to make the DJ Berry Cup final . . . and win.”
The format for the DJ Barry Cup has changed from previous years.
The Poverty Bay Cricket Association decided that the top five teams in the Doleman Cup would contest the DJ Barry Cup, with the bottom three teams playing for the Hope Cup.
In the Doleman Cup it was obvious there were five strong teams (cup winners Bain Construction OBR, the Stars, Gisborne Boys’ High School, HSOB and Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates) and three (Horouta, Campion College and Boys’ High seconds) who struggled.
The bottom three will contest the Hope Cup, with the 40-over rules applying to both competitions.
Tomorrow, bye teams OBR and Boys’ High (2) will play what will effectively be a friendly game.
OBR will be without club captain Ian Loffler, Kieran Venema and Josh Adams, but Loffler said his side would not lower their standards.
“Winning is a good habit to get into and we want to win all the trophies,” Loffler said.
In other top-five action, Boys’ High start 2017 against a Pirates side without their skipper Robbie Tallott. Vice-captain and Poverty Bay batsman Drew Scott is expected to take charge on the field.
Scott is highly rated by Bay selector, former New Zealand test cricketer Lance Cairns.
Pirates fell well short of what was expected from them in 2016 but Boys’ High could be on the end of a backlash.
In the chase for bottom-three honours, Horouta take on Campion College.
