Black Caps all-rounder James Franklin and off-spinner Jeetan Patel join the Hell Wellington Firebirds for their HRV Cup Twenty20 match against the Central Stags at Napier’s McLean Park on Friday night.

The pair return to the Firebirds from Sri Lanka, where they have most recently been involved in New Zealand’s one-all Test series result against them.

Franklin captains the side for the first time his season, taking the reins off Grant Elliott who led the side in their first two HRV Cup matches of the season at Westpac Stadium.

English all-rounder Chris Woakes will also play his first HRV Cup match, after making his debut in last week’s four-day match against Auckland. Woakes will play in the remaining eight round-robin matches, plus finals.

The Hell Wellington Firebirds squad to play the Stags is:

James Franklin (c)
Harry Boam
Grant Elliott
Mark Houghton
Dane Hutchinson
Scott Kuggeleijn
Michael Papps
Jeetan Patel
Michael Pollard
Luke Ronchi
Jesse Ryder
Chris Woakes
Luke Woodcock


The Firebirds have had a win and a loss from their opening two HRV matches, both played at home at Westpac Stadium. They beat the Canterbury Wizards by 6 wickets and missed out to the Auckland Aces by 5 wickets

This is the Stags’ second match of the Twenty20 competition, following their opening round 5-wicket defeat to the Northern Knights in Hamilton.


Match Details:

Who: Hell Wellington Firebirds v Central Stags
What: HRV Cup Twenty20 match
Where: McLean Park, Napier
When: Friday 7 December, from 7.10pm
Live viewing: Watch the match live on Sky Television