The Admark Print Wellington Blaze will unveil a new-look squad featuring four potential debutants when the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield returns this weekend.

With six front-line players unavailable on WHITE FERNS duty, as well as the recent retirement of former captain Liz Green-Perry, Blaze head coach Ivan Tissera has shuffled the pack for back-to-back fixtures against the Northern Spirit at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.

That means potential debuts for teenage duo Jamie Mason-Jones (batter) and Natasha Codyre (bowler), Olivia Boivan (batter) and Surrey and Scotland allrounder Priyanaz Chatterji.

15-year-old batter Georgia Plimmer, who made her debut earlier in the competition against Central Districts, is also included, as are Maneka Singh and Xara Jetly who performed well when called upon in the Super Smash campaign.

Blaze head coach Ivan Tissera said he was looking forward to giving young players of the future an opportunity at the top domestic level.

“WHITE FERNS commitments and the unavailability of other regular players gives us a great chance to further develop a very strong group of teenagers who have all been working extremely hard at their games,” he said.

“It’s always exciting to see players on debut and all four thoroughly deserve the opportunity having shown great commitment at team trainings and individual coaching sessions.

“We played some great cricket during the Super Smash and we’ll continue to try very hard to win games in the One-Day format and we’re really looking forward to the opportunity to build further depth and help some very promising young players with valuable game time.”

Alongside the new faces are some familiar names, including captain Deanna Doughty, wicketkeeper Jess McFadyen, batter Caitlin King and allrounder Thamsyn Newton.

McFadyen, Newton and King had limited opportunity with the bat during the Super Smash but will play important roles in the Blaze top-order for the remainder of the 50-over competition.

The Blaze currently sit fifth on the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield ladder, five points adrift of third place and a finals qualification spot.

Play gets underway from Cobham Oval in Whangarei from 10.30am tomorrow and 10.00am on Sunday – spectator entry is free.

Admark Print Wellington Blaze squad | Hallyburton Johnstone Shield | Rounds Seven and Eight

Deanna Doughty (c)

Olivia Boivin

Priyanaz Chatterji

Natasha Codyre

Xara Jetly

Caitlin King

Jess McFadyen

Jamie Mason-Jones

Beth Molony

Thamsyn Newton

Georgia Plimmer

Maneka Singh

Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Round 7 & 8

Northern Spirit v Wellington Blaze

Saturday February 1, 10.30am and

Sunday February 2, 10.00am

Cobham Oval, Whangarei

Article added: Friday 31 January 2020