Northern Knights welcome return of experience to side

The Northern Knights welcome back two BlackCaps but lose the in-form Scott Styris to the national side for their important limited over match against Canterbury at Cobham Oval on Sunday.
Kane Williamson and Brent Arnel return to the team to play the Wizards after both players completed their test series duties with the BlackCaps against Pakistan in Wellington on Wednesday.
The addition of the two test players gives Knights coach Grant Bradburn additional talent to choose from with half the round robin competition completed.
"We're really keen to have BA [Arnel] back bowling for the team, for his experience, but also because his positivity around the team in general is of extreme value," Bradburn said.
Arnel has been the most consistent strike bowler for the Knights during the past two seasons resulting in his elevation into the BlackCaps. The return of Williamson is also good news for Bradburn, given his domestic success.
Williamson has been named in the BlackCaps ODI squad for the World Cup but wasn't required for the two opening matches of the Pakistan Series and will be keen for runs.
After the Wizards match Sunday, the Knights play Otago on Wednesday before travelling to Wellington to play the Firebirds next weekend. They then return to Whangarei to play their final round robin match against Central Districts on February 2.
Despite receiving only two points for the washed-out match against Otago in Invercargill on Wednesday, the side remain tied for second and Bradburn is expecting them to be ready to defend their title.
"There's a long way to go in this competition, we're only halfway through, and our first mission is to play well enough over the rest of the competition to get into the final again.
"We feel we are travelling well in the competition without having put our best performances on the park yet. We look at that as a positive and want to produce our best cricket during the finals week," he said.
The batting line-up, particularly in the top order, will come under scrutiny after injury and form has once again forced a reshuffle.
Injury to the in-form Daniel Flynn has ruled him out of the next two matches, weakening the top order, with BJ Watling hopeful of overcoming a back strain. Anton Devcich has been recalled to the team after displaying good form playing for the Knights' B team and he also scored a century last week against Northland for Hamilton, while Michael Parlane has been left out of the team.
Northern Knights: James Marshall (C), Graeme Aldridge, Brent Arnel, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Jason Donnelly, Peter McGlashan, Bradley Scott, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Brad Wilson, Joseph Yovich.