Cricket: Hira hoping to debut at home

Auckland's Roneel Hira. Photo / Richard Robinson

Lining up in the Black Caps Twenty20 XI tomorrow at Eden Park will mean a homecoming of sorts for in-form Auckland Aces left-arm spinner Ronnie Hira.

The 24-year-old was named in the 14-man squad to play the touring Zimbabwe side in two T20 matches, and he is likely to make his debut for New Zealand either at Eden Park tomorrow, or on Tuesday at Hamilton's Seddon Park.

"Although our homeground is Colin Maiden Park, I started my domestic career on Eden Park's No 2, so it will be nice to be out there on the No 1 and soaking it all in - if I get a start. I'm sure I'll get a few family and friends along to watch," Hira said today.

Hira will make his international debut alongside Aces' teammate Colin de Grandhomme, who performed well in the team's victorious HRV Cup campaign and whose all-round skills are suited to T20 cricket.

Canterbury Wizards' allrounder Andrew Ellis will make his first international T20 appearance after making his Black Caps debut in the first ODI against Zimbabwe in Dunedin.

Making the New Zealand squad comes on the back of a rollercoaster season for Hira. After three seasons as a contracted player for the Auckland Aces, his domestic contract was not renewed for the 2011-12 season.

"I've had my ups and downs this season, with my contract not being renewed ... but it's good to be in this environment and along for the ride. These guys are good to hang with and learn off," Hira said.

Despite receiving only match payments this season, Hira was a bowling standout in the HRV Cup and was an integral part of Auckland's successful defence of the domestic T20 title. Taking 14 wickets at an average of 14.85 and, most importantly given the high-scoring T20 format, conceding only 5.85 runs an over, Hira finished the HRV Cup campaign as the joint leading wicket-taker.

He also led the MVP bowling ranking ahead of Canterbury's Rob Nicol. The Auckland born and bred Hira also helped his team secure a berth in Sunday's Ford Trophy one-day final against Central Districts.

Hira is one of four spin bowlers in the Black Caps' T20 squad, including Nathan McCullum, Rob Nicol and Kane Williamson, and said he felt there was room for spin bowlers in the changing scope of limited overs cricket.

"The game is changing, and they're using spinners more to break up the momentum of the batting side once they get off to a good start. They tend to bring on a spin bowler between six to 12 overs before using the death bowlers at the end," Hira said.

"I haven't spoken to the coach about what my role is in this team yet against Zimbabwe, but I guess that will be the idea for me - pick up a wicket and stifle the attack. I'll keep doing what I've been doing for the Aces."

While his focus is firmly on making his international debut with the Black Caps, Hira will be keeping close tabs on what is happening at New Plymouth's Pukekura Park on Sunday.

"I'll see what happens tomorrow when the side gets named but regardless I'll be watching the game along with Colin. Hopefully we [Auckland] can win the one day competition as well, I think we have a good shot at it," he said.