Knights join Northland in one dayer

The Northland First XI welcome their Northern Knights contingent back to the fold for their final Brian Dunning One Day clash, against Counties.

James Marshall and Brad Wilson are lining up for tomorrow's match in Weymouth, along with Joey Yovich who has been out injured from the Knights line-up recently. Northern District players made themselves available to play district association cricket after the Knights failed to make the preliminary finals of the Ford Trophy Domestic One Day Competition, which are being played tomorrow at New Plymouth and Dunedin, and on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for February 12.

Coach Stephen Cunis said having the Knights back in the Northland mix was a boost to the rest of the side.

"It's great to have the Knights back with us ... it should be a great game. Counties have Knights' Pete McGlashan, Brent Arnel and Brandan Hiini. We're all looking forward to it. We need to win to put us on the front foot to a get a challenge in the Hawke Cup next season. It's a long way off but it's important to get some early points," Cunis said.

The Northland side had a narrow three-run loss to Hamilton in their last outing on January 15, and Cunis believed his side had the potential for success this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Northland Second XI are also playing a one-day match in Weymouth, against the Taranaki development side.

"It's not an official game but Taranaki contacted all associations and we were the only ones up for it. The more match cricket for the B team, the better," Cunis said.

Historically, Taranaki are a good team and this team will certainly be handy. They play a similar style of cricket to Northland and are tough, the coach says.

Both teams travel together to Weymouth tomorrow ahead of their respective matches.

Northland First XI: Steven Knox, Brad Wilson, James Marshall, Joey Yovich, Henry Cooper, Ben Hyde, Ian Page, Craig Coffey, Brad Kneebone, Cody Andrews, Matt Taylor, Ryan Smith. Not available due to injury - John Child.

Northland Second XI: Bert Horner (c), Richard Atkins, Michael O'Flaherty, Chris Page, Curtis Cherrington, Harry Darkins, Aidan Miller, Kurtley Watson, Kevin Forde, Kyron Dill, Tom Herman, Dean Williams.