Skipper returns to squad

There is a mix of good and bad news for Wairarapa leading into their Hawke Cup elimination match with Manawatu at Queen Elizabeth Park oval in Masterton this weekend.

The good news is that skipper Greg Todd will be back to lead the side after missing the fixture with Wanganui because of Central Stags commitments.

The bad news is that in-form Netherlands captain Peter Borren will be missing after being drafted into the Stags' one-day squad, a situation that will weaken the batting and bowling departments to some degree.

Apart from Borren, however, Wairarapa selector-coach Mark Brown expects to have everybody on deck although two of the medium pacers, Daniel Ingham and Ben Foster, have back injuries which are being closely monitored. Both are expected to be available for selection.

Their outright defeat at the hands of Wanganui after a second innings batting collapse has put Wairarapa on the back foot in their bid to qualify for a Hawke Cup challenge but Brown is confident of them having the potential to make life difficult for an always formidable Manawatu side.

"It's all about application, especially in the batting," Brown said. "We have to ensure we get a good start and then take advantage of it."

An interesting aspect to this weekend's match is that the park oval pitch will be in play for the very first time this season which means question marks must exist over the level of assistance it will give the bowlers.

Brown said he had been assured by the head groundsman that the wicket would play well and he was happy with what he saw when he inspected the pitch earlier in the week.

Meanwhile the draw for inter-club cricket this week is:-

More FM Twenty20 Cup: Wairarapa College v Red Star at Wairarapa College, tonight at 5.15pm; Turkey Red Greytown v Flight Centre Lansdowne, tonight at 5.15pm.

Bidwell Cup (two-day format): Turkey Red Greytown v Rathkeale College at Greytown, Saturday at 12 noon; Wairarapa College v Flight Centre Lansdowne at Wairarapa College, Saturday at 12 noon.

Open grade: Rathkeale 2 v Kuranui at Rathkeale No.1, Saturday at 1pm; Marist Old Boys v Greytown 2 at Park Sports 2, Saturday at 1pm; Red Star 2 v Trevs Sports Lansdowne 2 at Park Sports 3, Saturday at 1pm; Chanel v Wairarapa College 2 at Chanel, Saturday at 1pm; Anderson Meats Lansdowne v Wairarapa College Colts at Park Sports 1, Saturday at 1pm.