Greytown all-rounder Harry Greenwood might get the chance to make his debut for Wairarapa in their Hawke Cup cricket qualifying match with Manawatu at Queen Elizabeth Park oval in Masterton over the weekend.
Greenwood, a former member of the Rathkleale College first X1, has been included in a 13-man squad named yesterday by selector-coach Mark Brown but whether he actually takes the field will depend on the availability of Netherlands skipper Peter Borren.
The question mark over Borren revolves around whether he is chosen in the Central Stags one-day team with Brown covering his bases by including him in the Hawke Cup line-up, and confirming Greenwood as his replacement if he is ruled out.
His proven ability with bat and ball would, of course, make Borren's defection a decent-sized blow for Wairarapa but Brown has been encouraged at the form shown by Greenwood in both spheres at club level and sees the youngster grabbing any opportunity given him with both hands.
"He's a very promising talent who looks ready to take the step up, he's got a lot going for him," Brown said of Greenwood.
The return of Greg Todd from Central Stag duties will see him take over the captaincy role for Wairarapa after Mark Childs filled the position in the Hawke Cup fixture with Wanganui which the latter won outright.
Childs will, however, have extra responsibilities again as he will have the wicketkeeping gloves this time after first choice keeper Robbie Spiers rolled an ankle and is still in recovery mode.
Without or without Borren Wairarapa will still have an impressive batting order with every member of the squad capable of contributing well in that department.
Having scored a century against Wanganui and a 96 for his Lansdowne club last weekend opener Jamie Holmes is probably in the best form of his career while his opening partner Tim Lucas and first drop Henry Cameron are due for something special.Then will come the consistent Todd, maybe Borren, Matt Stringfellow, Childs, Dean van Deventer, Daniel Ingham, Paul Lyttle and either Ben Foster or Josh Mann.
Brown says the emphasis will be on Wairarapa scoring enough runs in their first innings to ensure they are still well in the hunt for an outright win by the time of the last session on Sunday. Indeed even though the match will be played on a park oval pitch being used for the very first time this season, Brown sees value in Wairarapa batting first if Todd wins the toss, the aim being to have Manawatu on the back foot right from the word go.
"From what we've seen of the pitch it looks like it will play fairly true, we are not anticipating too many tricks in it," he said.
The clash with the Hawke Cup fixture will have some of the teams contesting the first day's play in Bidwell Cup senior men's inter-club matches tomorrow struggling to find a full complement of players.
Turkey Red Greytown is at home to Rathkeale College and Wairarapa College likewise to Flight Centre Lansdowne.