Cricket: High hopes for Northland

Northland Secondary School coach Neal Parlane is expecting his team to make it to the final during next week's Northern Districts Senior Secondary Schools Tournament in Gisborne.

Parlane said his team had a lot of potential and includes New Zealand under-19 squad member Kurtley Watson.

"Considering the team is made up mostly of Boys' High players, and they're top of the table in Northland club cricket, I'm hoping for us to go down and do well. I'm hoping we'll win it," said Parlane.

"Everyone's in form so there's no reason why we can't be confident, and should therefore do well."

Parlane said young left-arm spinner Dave Armitt and Nick Stobart would be players to keep an eye out for with the ball. With captain Ben Smith being one to look out for with the bat.

"He's [Armitt] been playing well for a couple months now, and that's against men. Nick Stobart must be the top wicket taker in club cricket, so there's no reason why he can't continue that."

Parlane said he hoped Smith would stand up with the captaincy and take control of his team.

Watson will reunite with four who played at the tournament last year - Eden Crawford, Max Davis, Armitt and Smith.

The tournament is contested initially in two pools of four - with two Twenty20 games on Monday and a 50 over game on Tuesday - before cross-pool play on Wednesday, and two day games to decide first to eighth place on Thursday and Friday. The tournament runs from December 17 to 21.

Northland

Ben Smith (c), David Armitt, Sam Clotworthy, Max Davis, Kashmir Harypursat, Matthew Lobb, Nick Stobart, Max Trimble, Alex Tunstall (Whangarei BHS); Jacob Cherrington, Eden Crawford (Kamo); Kurtley Watson (Maungakaramea); Adam Ogle (Kamo HS).