Bay Of Plenty To Start Their ND Development Season

Posted: Monday, 31 October 2016

Bay Of Plenty To Start Their ND Development Season At The Tauranga Domain On Sunday

The Bay of Plenty Development team starts their pursuit of the Basil McBurney Trophy, which is the symbol of ND Development supremacy, on Sunday (30 October 2016) at the Tauranga Domain.

Bay of Plenty posted a two win–two loss record in last seasons Basil McBurney title chase - with the undoubted highlight being the Bay of Plenty second elevens big win over this weekend’s opponents at the Weymouth Oval.

Counties Manukau set Bay of Plenty a huge challenge when they posted 269/9 during February 2016. Bay of Plenty captain Stephen Crossan led from the front in pursuit of the big total to blast the opposition out of the match. Opening the batting, the Bay of Plenty skipper took aim on the Weymouth Oval boundaries and smashed his way to 144 runs before being dismissed. Such was the impact of the Bay of Plenty captains big knock was that victory came with eleven overs to spare.

Stephen Crossan’s big score was the highest of the Bay of Plenty 2015/16 representative season, sailing past the other representative centuries of Bharat Popli (119 & 111) Tim Clarke (110) and Ben Musgrave (102).

The Te Puke premier skipper has been re-appointed to lead this seasons Bay Development team, with the selectors again looking to the future with plenty of youth in the weekend side. Tauranga Boys College student Iman Singh, will make his Bay Development debut after impressive form in the new season. Last Monday the Tauranga Boys bowler impressed in a Bay of Plenty XI pre-season match-up with Hawkes Bay, bowling his leg spinners with real composure.

Five of the Development selections to oppose the Counties Manukau visitors, played in last year’s ND Senior Secondary tournament in Gisborne. Alastair Blackett represented Bay of Plenty Lakeland with Blair McKenzie, Jonty Grigson, Gurwinder Singh and Luke Tatley earning selection in the Bay of Plenty Coastland team.

Wicketkeeper Mat Golding will bring plenty of maturity and experience to the side as a previous skipper of the Bay Development eleven. Matt has stood behind the stumps for the Bay of Plenty Senior Men’s side on several occasions and is steady hands behind the stumps.

Another to have plenty of senior cricket experience is Alex Gooding who has become a genuine all-rounder in recent seasons, while Cameron Neal is a hard hitting batsmen who likes nothing better to attack the boundary. The team is rounded out by a quality bowler in Brody Gilroy who has established his place in the Bay second eleven in the last couple of seasons.

ND Development Competition @ Tauranga Domain 30 October 2016 – 10.30am start

Bay of Plenty v Counties Manukau

Bay of Plenty: Stephen Crossan (c) Jonty Grigson, Alex Gooding, Brody Gilroy (Te Puke) Alastair Blackett (Rotorua) Blair McKenzie, Matt Golding (wk), Luke Tatley (Mount Maunganui) Gurwinder Singh (Otumoetai Cadets) Iman Singh (Tauranga Boys College) Cameron Neal (Greerton)

Coach: Charles Williams Manager: Richie Earl

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