Aces remain confident ahead of Wizards clash

MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 25th March 2011

Coach Paul Strang has named an extended 14 man squad for the Aces upcoming clash with the Canterbury Wizards starting at Colin Maiden Park on Monday.

Joining the 12 from the previous match are top order bat Greg Todd, and Batting Allrounder Colin Munro fresh from 56 with the bat and 4/18 with the ball for club side Howick Pakuranga on the weekend.

Strang will be hoping that the addition of some fresh faces will inspire the batting line up, after a lack of substantial partnerships meant the team were unable to capitalize on some sterling work done in the field against the Wellington Firebirds. The ever sprightly Chris Martin, with match figures of 9 for 95, and left arm spinner Bruce Martin with 5 for 57 in the second innings, had worked hard to get the team within sight of victory. Unfortunately the points again proved elusive for a team that remains confident they can finish the season with some strong performances.

The squad of 14 will be trimmed to 12 after team training on Sunday. To add to the mix, team management are also sweating on the fitness of Anaru Kitchen, with the middle-order batsman struggling with a finger complaint.

The Fourteen for Monday's game against the Canterbury Wizards is as follows:

Michael Bates (Suburbs New Lynn)
Brad Cachopa (Takapuna)
Andrew de Boorder (Howick Pakuranga)
Colin de Grandhomme (Howick Pakuranga)
Gareth Hopkins (Captain) (wk) (Parnell)
Anaru Kitchen (Waitakere City)
Tim McIntosh (Parnell)
Bruce Martin (Parnell)
Chris Martin (Parnell)
Colin Munro (Howick Pakuranga)
Jimmy Neesham (Suburbs New Lynn)
Jeet Raval (Suburbs New Lynn)
Gareth Shaw (Papatoetoe)
Greg Todd (Howick Pakuranga)

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