Match-fit Yovich set for big City clash

With first-class cricketers beginning to congregate in the area ahead of next week's Northern Districts spring training camp, tomorrow's  club games may provide a higher standard of cricket than usual.
City stalwart Joey Yovich arrived back late on Wednesday but was very keen to participate in one of the big club clashes of any competition - a match against Maungakaramea - with the added bonus of playing the first match on grass at Cobham Oval this year.
"It's always one of the games we look forward to but I'm not too sure whether I'll be bowling or just battling but I'll just slip into the side and do my thing for the guys, who I know are looking forward to a big season," he said
Yovich has spent six weeks in Australia, playing for top New South Wales club Sutherland in an attempt to get some pre-season conditioning under his belt.
"I'm looking forward to playing on New Zealand soil and Cobham Oval but in saying that I've really enjoyed getting some thorough preparation and some good quality cricket over there and things really went to plan."
The club boasts players like Phil Jaques, Andre Adams, Shane Watson and Glen McGrath among its ranks but Yovich's early-season form didn't disappoint and he took 5/48 and scored 82 in one of his matches.
"It was just a great way for me to set up the coming season, the cricket I was getting over there was ideal ... they say it's the toughest club competition in the world and you could definitely see that when you're playing."
The City all-rounder's opposition this weekend could contain two first-class cricketers with Michael Parlane also back from Australia, and Black Cap Tim Southee a likely starter.
Maungakaramea selector John Child said they wouldn't know the exact line-up until training last night but they were very confident they could match City, whatever their team.
Child was hoping to get through a fitness test for the game himself, so as not to miss the tussle and said there would be a lot of interest in the toss for the match.
"Providing the weather holds out, it'll be interesting to see how the wicket plays, the first day on grass always is usually a day the bowlers prefer," he said.
Kamo travel to Kaipara Flats, with the home side bolstered by James Marshall and Brad Wilson - also back  from stints in Australia, while Whangarei Boys High School and Onerahi-Central play in the other match at Kensington Park.
Whatever happens during the weekend's matches, the ND players will be back on the best of terms  when they get together for their camp at Cape Brett on Sunday.
"We're heading away for a three-day camp which could be a pretty tough lead-in to the season but whatever we do I'm sure Grant [Bradburn] will have it all sorted out, I'm expecting a bit of fun but plenty of hard work as well."
They return to Whangarei on Wednesday for warm-up matches on Thursday and Friday at Cobham Oval.