Former Black Cap and Northern Districts cricket star, Llorne Howell's wrap for Tauranga's approaching local cricket season.

Tevita Levao, dj at the colosseum on Harrington Street has made the biggest splash for the upcoming Bay wide championship. He has signed Te Ahu Davis to the yellow and blacks for the coming season.
Jono Boult from cadets was strongly in the race and it is thought Ben Williams was trying to sign Davis to Te Puke while Ben was playing and coaching in the Netherlands.
Te Ahu played for the Knights last season, is one of the quickest in the country and bowls with late out swing. It is thought he may have favoured the green tones of Pemberton Park as compared to the browner surfaces at Tauranga domain.
Te Puke has not lost out. They have acquired Brett Sorenson of the Knights under 19 elite training squad. This continues a close association with former stars of Tbc.
Mount Maunganui has also made a great scoop. The very dangerous pace bowler Tony Goodin is back from three years in Western Australia. Tony was on the verge of a contract with the Western Australian Warriors. His pace has increased and none of the bounce has diminished.
Cadets outstanding left arm seamer Trent Boult is being treated for lower back injuries. At last count he had five physios overlooking his progress; Bay, Knights, NZ, NZ high performance, Knights trainer and Knights under age conditioner. Trent has the opportunity to play in Sydney grade cricket in October and November and so cadets will lose their spearhead.
Big central cc fast bowler Andrew Gibbs has gone under the knife to remedy a knee injury that became steadily worse last season. Andrew has made great strides in the Bay and was on the verge of Northern Districts selection through pace and hostility. Central will miss him in their quest for another title. The wicket at Smallbone is the one thing that has held Central back from more titles. It does not suit their pace attack.
On the international front Daniel Flynn made a great return to the New Zealand set up with 70 runs in Sri Lanka. It is very difficult to play in Sri Lanka due to the heat and humidity. Graeme Aldridge commented that on his NZ A tour to Sri Lanka he would be soaked after three overs and feel like he had just done a huge leg weight session. He has been doing a lot of work with Kane Williamson over the winter and those two bay boys look set for a huge summer and both possibly in the Black Caps.
There are strong rumours that Graeme may be turning out for Hamilton this season. He now lives and teaches over in the Waikato so it seems the sensible option.
Finally former Tbc and under age star Matthew Drake looks set to return to live in the Bay. He is planning to make himself available for the full bay side and take a strong role again with his club side, cadets.