Wellington opening batsman Luke Georgeson is in-line to make his Firebirds debut when the Central Stags visit the Basin Reserve for round nine of the Ford Trophy tomorrow.

A late injury to regular opener Jakob Bhula means Georgeson comes in to the side for the first time having impressed regularly for the Wellington A side in recent seasons.

The 20-year-old was part of the New Zealand Under 19 squad that included fellow Firebirds Rachin Ravindra and Bhula that competed in the 2018 ICC Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand. He was also selected in a New Zealand XI squad to face Sri Lankans in Napier in 2018.

Georgeson’s inclusion is one of four changes made by Firebirds head coach Glenn Pocknall.

Tom Blundell and Jimmy Neesham (BLACKCAPS ODI squad) are unavailable – Michael Snedden and Lauchie Johns come in.

Brett Johnson also drops out, he is replaced by young fast-bowler Ben Sears.

Devon Conway has picked up where he left off in the Super Smash in the One-Day arena.

The top-order batsman is the leading run-scorer in the Ford Trophy with 440 runs, averaging 55 – he has registered scores of 57, 59, 138 and 70 in his last four innings.

The Firebirds currently sit third on the Ford Trophy ladder, just one point ahead of the fourth placed Otago Volts, so another win is vital to keep them on track for finals qualification.

Play gets underway from 11.00am at the Basin Reserve – spectator entry is free.

Wellington Firebirds squad | Ford Trophy | Round Nine

Michael Bracewell (c)

Devon Conway

Fraser Colson

Andrew Fletcher

Luke Georgeson

Jamie Gibson

Lauchie Johns

Iain McPeake

Ben Sears

Michael Snedden

Logan Van Beek

Peter Younghusband

Ford Trophy Round Nine

Wellington Firebirds v Central Stags

Wednesday 5 February, 11.00am

Basin Reserve, Wellington

Article added: Tuesday 04 February 2020