Knights seek to even score against Kings

RUN CHASE: Northern Knights' Daryl Mitchell will be looking to make runs and settle the score against the Canterbury Kings.PHOTO/ GETTY

Northern Knights' coach James Pamment is after one thing as his side host the Canterbury Kings at Cobham Oval tomorrow.

Playing the Knights in their opening Georgie Pie Super Smash fixture this season, the Kings opened their GPSS season in style with a 7-wicket win, while also setting a world T20 record, a New Zealand T20 record and a Canterbury T20 record all in the first innings.

"We're looking to even the ledger," Pamment said.

"We did some good things last Friday night, but not enough of them. They did better than us and they won that evening so we'll be looking forward to putting it right and getting stuck into them again on Sunday.

"They're a good team all-round the Kings, they're very experienced. Their strength against us in the last game was how they bowled their spin, and obviously Andrew Ellis, who bowls at the death for them, is a very good exponent of what he does."

Lining up on what's shaping up to be a batter-friendly deck, the Cobham Oval wicket could add to the Knights' chances of levelling the T20 2016 record versus the Kings.

"For T20 cricket you always want a good surface, you need runs to keep the crowd entertained and that's what T20 cricket is all about," Pamment said.

"We always get a good surface up there and as long as the surface is good, it'll be a bloody good T20 wicket."

While it's uncertain whether the sole Northlander on contract for the Knights, Cody Andrews, will feature in the match, Pamment said he's gaining traction since picking up a contract earlier this year.

"He's working extremely hard and making the transition from being a good district cricketer to a first class cricketer. He had a little injury which I guess slowed him down in the pre-season but he's catching up very quickly and we're excited with the progress Cody can make through our teams and into the Knights. He's class, but knows he's got a little bit of work to do."

The Knights' campaign will be further boosted by the inclusion of Black Caps big hitter Corey Anderson, who returns after a back injury.

Pamment is hoping that Anderson will add a bit more grunt to the batting performance of the Knights.

Anderson is indeed showing good form in the lead-up practice sessions this week, regularly sending his teammates ducking for cover in the bowling nets.

"(Corey is) whacking back at them at quite a rate of knots," Pamment said.

"He's looking in great touch."

Pamment added a trip north to Whangarei was always a welcome change from playing at Northern District's home pitch at Seddon Park in Hamilton and frequenting Tauranga's Bay Oval.

"We always thoroughly enjoy the hospitality that our Northern Association puts on so everyone's really excited to bring a T20 match up here."

The game starts at 2pm at Whangarei's Cobham Oval.

Possible Northern Knights XI to play the Canterbury Kings:
Daniel Flynn (C), Corey Anderson, Jono Boult, Dean Brownlie,
Anton Devcich, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ben Laughlin, Daryl Mitchell, Kevin
O'Brien, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.