Cricket: Traditional rivalry revived

There's a lot at stake for a young Northland side as they resume an annual cricket fixture against old rivals Auckland this Sunday at Cobham Oval.

Convincing captain Neal Parlane and the selectors that their reputations aren't bigger than their abilities is a must if they want to continue to play for their provincial side.

"Some of them have been around for a while now and it's time for them to step up and actually take games by the scruff of the neck by showing us the skills they've got," he said.

"We're crying out for people to take control of games and that's what we expect of these young guys if they want to keep on playing for Northland and perhaps go on to higher honours."

Parlane, who played first class and club cricket in Auckland last season, said Auckland has a balanced look to it.

"They've got a very good mixture of experience with the likes of Reece Young and Bhupinder Singh and some newly contracted players like Lochie Ferguson and fast bowler Dean Bartlett and a whole lot of other guys who are regulars for Auckland A," he said.

The fixture hasn't been played since 1996 and Parlane said he is looking forward to it.

"The first game I ever played for Northland was against Auckland and that must be at least 15 years ago when it was an annual fixture and one we always looked forward to," he said.

Northland's first ever match against Auckland was in April, 1928 and Northland Cricket is thrilled to revive the tradition - something Parlane was happy to have a hand in.

"Because I was involved down there last year I knew they were looking for grounds to play on preseason and I suggested that Cobham Oval would be an ideal place to get early games on and it's not far for them to travel and hopefully we can go down there and play every other year," he said.

Northland's youngsters are backed by the Parlane brothers Neal and Michael, while former Auckland A player Rory Christopherson will keep wickets after a solid debut with the bat last weekend against Counties.

"Rory wasn't really getting a look-in playing for Auckland A so he had a chat to Northern Districts who showed interest and because he was playing with me for at East Coast Bays, I encouraged him to go up to Kaipara Flats and play with them and maybe play for Northland," Parlane said.

Dewayne Bowden is another player hoping to break into the Northern Districts side this season. Bowden, who played 30 first-class matches for Wellington, will replace the injured Matt Taylor and play his first game for Northland after claiming a five-wicket haul in club cricket last weekend.

Parlane is unimpressed Northern Districts have refused to release Brad Wilson, James Marshall and Joe Yovich for the fixture.

Northland

Neal Parlane (c), Joseph O'Sullivan, Cody Andrews, Kurtley Watson (Maungakaramea), Michael Parlane, Kevin Forde, Rory Christopherson (Kaipara Flats), Dewayne Bowden, Henry Cooper, Brad Kneebone (Onerahi Central), Ben Hyde (Kamo), Harry Darkins (City).Neal Parlane

Auckland

Reece Young (Suburbs (c)), Craig Cachopa, Jonno Sole, Tony Manning (Takapuna), Donnovan Grobbelaar (Howick Pakuranga), Brad Schmulian, Donovan Deeble (East Coast Bays), Lochie Ferguson (Parnell), Bhupinder Singh (Papatoetoe), Dean Bartlett (Ellerslie), Dusan Hakaraia (Grafton), Marc Ellison (University).