Newcomers called up for vital clash

Northland selectors have displayed trust in the province's developing talent by naming two debutants, Ben Hyde and Curtis Cherrington, in the team to take on the Bay of Plenty in the Fergus Hicky two-day match this weekend.
The side loses a wealth of experience with player-coach Ewen Thompson and opening bowler Kevin Forde unavailable through injury for the crunch match but Thompson said the team was balanced and could deliver.
They will need to display more discipline than at the recent Brian Dunning one-day tournament in Taupo, where they let themselves down with two losses - one of them against BOP - from three matches.
"We've got to turn up and be more disciplined than we were in Taupo and be on top of our game right from the very start," he said.
"We're pretty much on level pegging with the Bay to get a Hawke Cup challenge so this match is vital. We've got to go down there and compete."
The team's focus will be on securing a first innings points from the match at the very least, with an outright win topping the wish list. The team needs an outright win against one of its two rivals - Bay of Plenty or Hamilton - if they want to be in a position to secure a Hawke Cup Challenge next year.
Thompson said the selectors will continue to select form over reputation.
"If there have been any line calls, we've gone with youth to try and develop our depth as much as we can," he said.
"Ben Hyde, in particular, has really earned his spot - he got a 50 against a first-class bowling attack in a warm-up game [for ND Development] and got 150 against Kamo in a club match a couple of weeks ago so he's in good form."
Hyde has trained with the squad all season and was thrilled to hear his name called out after training.
"It was a bit of a surprise, I've tried hard to put some good performances together this season in club cricket and I guess that's behind it but I'm just really happy to get a chance in the team and I'm looking forward to playing," he said.
The 18-year-old will bat in the middle order and Cherrington is another all- round option - a top order batsman for Kamo who can bowl tidy medium pace.
Kaipara Flats seamer Matt Taylor won the race to replace his clubmate Forde in the team after he underwent surgery on his troublesome elbow during the week. Taylor, who made his Northland debut last season, beat other promising youngsters Aiden Miller and Tom Herman into the team.
Bellahomes Northland: Brett Hood (c), Jake Phillips(vc), Tauseef Satti, Matt Taylor (Kaipara Flats), Richard Atkins, Rory Darkins, Chris Page (City), Rhys Farrand, Curtis Cherrington (Kamo), Henry Cooper, Ben Williams, Ben Hyde (WBHS).