Bowling strength offers hope

Northern Spirit cricket coach Cliff Dickeson believes a strong bowling attack gives them every chance of success this season.
The Spirit begin their domestic programme this evening, with a Twenty20 match against Central Districts at Cobham Oval, in a quietly optimistic mood.
"We've got a very potent pace attack with Nicola Browne and Kate Pulford and a strong spin attack with Morna Neilsen and Emily Bailey, the off-spinner," Dickeson said.
Bailey is the only player in the starting 11 from Northland.  Dickeson, a product of the Northland representative system himself before leaving the Far North  for Hamilton, is  coach for the 10th  year.
"I think people will be surprised to see how much the standard has improved in the women's game now  ... that has got to do with the fitness levels," he said.
 The women's game was  as arduous as the men's although  not  as intensive, because the men's game was  more professional - and he should know, as the longest serving coach in the women's game.
"It's a tough job but I don't think too many people have coached first-class cricket teams for 10 years," he said.
Dickeson believes Wellington will be the team to beat  again this season because they have retained many  players from last season. Canterbury   could feature  as  their strong club contest  produces new players.