Cricket: Experienced duo to line up against Hamilton

Northern Districts' player Brad Wilson has an opportunity to impress this weekend in the Northland jersey. Photo / File

The experience of seasoned campaigners Brad Wilson and Joey Yovich is likely to be leaned on by the Northland cricket side as they aim to impress at Cobham Oval this weekend against Hamilton.

While much talk is about the Hawke Cup and gaining a challenge, the reality is Northland need to keep their winning form going if they are to have a shot.

Cue Northern Districts opener Wilson and former first-class player Yovich.

For Wilson, who has 72 first-class matches under his belt, the Fergus Hickey two-day match at Cobham Oval is an opportunity to post a big score and try to force his way back into the starting Northern Districts team.

However, for 37-year-old Yovich the match is a rare opportunity for him to pull on the Northland jersey this season - with other commitments restricting his availability.

Coach Stephen Cunis welcomes the experience back into the fold even though his younger players have been getting the job done.

"We've got a good balance of youth and experience once again," Cunis explained. "We just want consistency, for young fellas it's the hardest thing for them to do.

"I want our older fellas to front up because there will be times in this game when we're under pressure. I'm looking for Brad Wilson to make the most of it. Wilson is fine [in relation to form], he's a top player and a good man. He has been good at training."

Cunis added Yovich's role in the weekend's match was going to be as an all-rounder, batting in the lower-middle order and getting through some work with the ball.

Last season Yovich was commonly seen opening the batting for Northland as he looked to regain his first-class contract with Northern Districts. However, Cunis confirmed Yovich wouldn't be opening.

"[Yovich] would like to open the batting, but he understands it's just best for the team - and Ben Hyde deserves his chance, he's hung in and deserves his chance at the top.

"It's a shame Joey is not playing more for us and it is a shame he's not playing more club cricket, but he has commitments which must be frustrating for him - and it is for us."

Cunis said the side has had a good build up into the match and weren't expecting anything to be gifted to them.

Coming off a fine performance against Bay of Plenty two weeks ago, Cunis hoped to see his youngsters who did the business then back their performances up.

"For someone like Kurtley who had a great game, we hope he brings that again for this game. For someone like Cody [Andrews] who probably didn't bowl very well up front we've talked to him about that and you hope he follows that through.

"There's a little something about Hamilton, they might not necessarily be strong on paper, but they have that swagger about them.

"We're going have to play well against them if we're to get some points off them."