Wairarapa could be without two of their star performers for their crucial Hawke Cup qualifying senior men's cricket match with Horowhenua-Kapiti in Paraparaumu at the weekend.
Definitely a non-starter is Dean van Deventer, who has returned to Christchurch, and there is a strong chance skipper Greg Todd will also bemissing because of Central Stags commitments.
The loss of van Deventer and Todd would be a major blow for a Wairarapa team who probably need an outright win in the last of their qualifying games to earn a Hawke Cup challenge.
Not only are the pair key components of the pace attack but equally important for their skills with the bat. Todd, especially, has had a hugely impressive season in both spheres, as well as standing out with his leadership on and off the field.
Selector Mark Brown said the decision on who would take over the captaincy role in Todd's absence had still to be made but wicketkeeper Mark Childs looks likely to be given the job.
The experienced Childs stood in for Todd this season before handing the reins to Netherlands skipper Peter Borren, whose highly successful stint with Wairarapa has since come to an end.
Wairarapa go into this weekend's match equal at the top of the Cup qualifying series with Taranaki.They have 24 points, with Wanganui (22), Hawke's Bay (23) and Manawatu (19) close behind. Horowhenua-Kapiti are still to break their "duck", points-wise.
But Brown is well aware of the many close battles they have had with Horowhenua-Kapiti in recent times and is far from counting his chickens: "Nothing will come easy, we know that."
