Northland's first-class cricketers are heading to Queensland for some sunshine but they're expecting anything but a holiday when they get there.
Joey Yovich and Brad Wilson are two of six contracted Northern Knights who will kick off their season a couple of weeks early in Queensland before beginning a busydomestic summer of cricket.
"Clearly this is a great opportunity for us to top off our pre-season preparation in great conditions, good quality company, amazing facilities and hopefully some sunshine," Yovich said.
"The relationship we've created with the Queensland Bulls is a positive one and hopefully that will flow on to our own season."
Northern Districts have developed a great relationship with Queensland - who are coached by former Australian batsman Darren Lehman - over the past three years and they will send players to New Zealand as well.
"Their younger guys - many of them not pros at this stage - can really benefit from the conditions and the coaching over here, so it's a nice reciprocal relationship that we've created," Yovich said.
The veteran all-rounder said it was a great opportunity to ready himself for a tough season ahead.
"It's not going to be easy for us because there is a massive international season ahead and that's going to pull on our resources because we'll probably lose quite a few players to the international squad," he said.
Another Northlander in the squad, James Marshall, was to join the others in Queensland but other commitments, including the birth of his first child, forced a change in plans.
The players leave on Sunday and return at the end of the month.
