Wellington cricketers Josh Brodie and Simon Allen have both been named in the New Zealand Emerging Players team for the first of two two-day games against England A on 22 – 23 February, at Lincoln.

Brodie and Allen have been selected for the Emerging Players team from their strong performances in January’s National Provincial A Tournament.

21-year old Eastern Suburbs opening batsman Brodie made his State Wellington Firebirds State Championship debut in March last year and  scored his maiden first class century against the State Northern Knights in December, making 110 after being unbeaten on 99 at stumps on the previous day.

He was Wellington’s leading run scorer in the Provincial A tournament, making 282 runs in four innings with one century, also 110.

Josh Brodie celebrates his maiden first class century.

25-year old Karori wicketkeeper batsman Allen captained the Wellington A team.

Former New Zealand U19 player Allen has played six State Shield matches for the Firebirds over the past two seasons, most recently in the last round of the State Shield on 25 January against the State Otago Volts.

The New Zealand Emerging Players team is:

Tim McIntosh, Captain (Auckland)  Josh Brodie (Wellington) Brad Patton (Central Districts) Brad Wilson (Northern Districts) Andrew De Border (Auckland) Jeet Raval (Auckland) Simon Allen (Wellington) Nick Beard (Otago) Te Ahu Davis (Northern Districts) Matt Harvie (Otago) Lance Shaw (Auckland)

The 12th man is yet to be named.

England A will play two games against the New Zealand Emerging Players side at Lincoln, the second on 25 – 26 February. They also play two four-dday games and a One Day match against a New Zealand A side in March.