As Wanganui head into their decisive Hawke Cup clash with Hawke's Bay today, three local youngsters are back from representative action to suggest the sport's future is in good hands.
Nick Blundell, Brett Cameron and Jessica Watkin have all benefitted from a spell of rep cricket with Central Districts at week-long national competitions around the country.
Seventeen-year-old Blundell - now in his last year at Wanganui Collegiate - won a place in the CD under-18 squad which played Wellington over two days and one day, and then took part in the national competition at Lincoln.
The lively pace bowler is already opening the attack for the Wanganui rep team, though an ankle injury sustained at Lincoln is likely to keep him out of today's match at Victoria Park.
Central Districts finished runners-up to Auckland in the national tournament - and would have won the competition had they grabbed the last wicket when they had Auckland nine down and on the ropes in their two-day clash.