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The Kaipara Flats Cricket Club (KFCC) Premier team is aiming to pick up the 40 over, two-day and T20 titles this summer with a bolstered squad and schedule changes.
The team gets underway in the Lion Red Cup 40 over competition at Kensington Park on October 6 against Onerahi.
Newly appointed KFCC captain Liam Jones says the three titles are all within the team’s grasp and is confident they can improve on last year’s results.
“We proved last season that when we had a full squad that we are the best team in this competition. Now we need to perform on the field,” Jones says.
When everyone is available the team will have 16 players including three new entrants with Jack and Luke Bevan coming over from England and Josh Cunis, a recent graduate of Otago University.
The Bevan brothers have both played for Kaipara Flats before and Luke has played first class cricket for Surrey.
“Both of them are good all-rounders and will bring balance to a side that’s predominantly made up of bowlers.”
Jones is also looking forward to the return of Brett Randall and last season’s Northland Player of the Year Kyran Dill.
Dill has been playing for Broad Oak Cricket Club in the Huddersfield Premier competition in the UK over winter. He came in as eighth best bowler, with 45 wickets.
He is also excited about the new schedule this season, which has been implemented by the Northland Cricket Association.
“This season, we will get two full rounds of one-day cricket, which means we should have our Northland players available for most of the competition.”
To cater for when the team’s top players are on Northland duty, the club will continue its athlete development programme to fill positions in the team.
“We’ve recruited a number of college students into the Rodney Cricket Competition, so they can develop alongside experienced players such as former Black Cap James Marshall.
“Once they’ve got some senior cricket experience, they should be ready to step up if they’re required to make up the numbers.”
The club is having its annual fundraiser comedy event at the Kaipara Flats Sports Club on October 13, featuring 7 Days comedians Nick Rado and Justine Smith.
