Firstly, commiserations to the Otago boys on their exit from the Champions Trophy. From past experience of playing Otago sides I know they would have been beavering away in the Edgar Centre down there in the cold of the Dunedin winter.

It is a huge facility, much like a big cool store. In fact, you could probably use it as a cool store. The Otago boys have always trained hard and give a hundred.
From Dunedin to the heat of India would have been a huge tes; not only in the skill level but also to such different weather conditions. I remember playing for Canterbury and travelling to Eden Park and we struggled with the humidity of Auckland after the dry heat of ChCh. Not that we lost much.
The owner of the Bangalore side owns Kingfisher Beer and Kingfisher Airlines (elite airline in India) amongst other interests. He is very keen to win competitions as it gains such huge bragging rights in India amongst the very wealthy business class. With this intensity and desire to do well, any side will need to be on top of their game to beat them.

On the local front the Bay trial was a success at Te Puke. The Bay seam attack looks as good as any around the country at this level. Also factor in that the Knghts have seven front line seamers to choose from, Aldridge, Yovich, Davis, Scott, Boult, Arnell and Southey. Only three or four can make the side so we may see some first class seamers playing for the Bay and in local club cricket.

Rotorua cricket begins this weekend. Central has been the dominant side from Rotorua for the last seasons.

Bay seamer Andrew Gibbs gives his views on the chances of Central in the Bay competition, how his form is and on Rotorua cricket.

Where it all began for Andrew
Rotorua Boys' High School (stopped playing in 4th form). Joined Central 2nd XI at the beginning of the 05/06 season. Played my first 1st team game early in Bay wide in 07/08 campaign.

Bay career
At the start of last season and the end of the season previous, I was bowling with reasonable form and consistency. Then an opportunity came when in the days before the Bay trail game, one of the possible players pulled out and Crispian Stuart (former central captain and now Bay selector) suggested I was given a shot. I approached this with enthusiasm, focus and a touch of self belief and left the trail with figures of two for 20 off 10 and was the only bowler not to give away any extras on the day.

Knee injury
Early days yet, will be an ongoing process of monitoring and conditioning, however, early signs are positive and it is not restricting me at this stage; has just made my preparation for the season frustrating.

Central's crack at the Williams Cup
I firmly believe Central will be competitive as ever and come finals time see absolutely no reason why we won't be there or thereabouts. We have some fresh faces and leadership and the club has put a series of guidelines and processes in place strongly based on the creation of a professional, but fun, good spirited, competitive club environment. Furthermore, our depth this year is as good as any I can remember.


Central's key players
Central will this year have David Exall out from England. David plays his cricket with Bridge North in the Birmingham league and is a top order batsman and medium pace swing bowler with a good amount of experience. Further gains have been the full season return of Matthew Maclaughlin, also a young player who has moved from Manawatu and has represented Manawatu as a middle order batsman and off spin bowler. Further still, several young players have come across from various Bay wide clubs and up through the high school ranks and have been attracted by the high standards and professional environment being created. We are also fortunate to welcome from South Island competitions; Julian Damby wicket keeper and top order bat (formerly with EP last year – plied his trade in South Canterbury) and Pete, a 22 year old ex Otago Uni student, who is an impressive all rounder and has moved to Rotorua for work.

So many gains but sadly some losses as well, Whilst still strongly involved and respected at the club and keen to play a role and games where possible, Mark Chapman is taking the opportunity to put cricket in the backseat and let his two young lads and lovely wife Robin ride up front for a while (something only a fool would begrudge him). Although Mark is sure to get as many games in as he can whenever possible. There was also an air of bitter/sweet at Central when we found out that another key player and top run scorer for us last year, Jeff Simmons, due to his successful season in England had been offered a contract and was staying on. We are proud of Jeff and wish him well though will sorely miss his services.

Rotorua Cricket looking strong
Rotorua cricket in many respects is looking as strong as it has looked in many years. It will be interesting to see how EP shapes up but they are a competitive bunch and if they can pull together a strong nucleus of players they will be right in the mix. However, organisation will be their potential undoing – if they can get that sorted they will go well.

Best Bay victory
I would have to say the Northland game on the final day of the ND one day tournament last year. Mainly because I played a reasonable role in the game and it was the first win in what we now know was a dominant campaign by the Bay team.
We did not bat brilliantly and were defending a low total. Campbell and Hoogs got us off to a great start with the ball, a tight spell that brought three wickets; myself and Ben followed. I felt I kept the pressure on in my first spell with six overs for 12 runs, though not taking a wicket in that spell. Coming down to the wire when myself and Ben were reintroduced, Northland required about four an over to win the game with four wickets in hand I bowled a further three overs and conceded just 10 runs and knocked over leg stump twice and the prize wicket of the left hander number three who was on 60 odd at the time when I bowled him on off stump. I finished with figures of approximately three for 22 from nine and we won with approx 10 runs to spare.

A chance for NDA
I have big self belief and yes I do think I can, however, there are far too many variables many of which are outside my control. So body willing, my goals will simply be to continue to grow and improve and develop all aspects of the game including fitness, fielding, batting, focus and mental strength and leadership and basically whatever level I play to be not only the best on the day but foremost the absolute 100 per cent best that I can be myself. The rest will hopefully take care of itself.

Smallbone for seamers
I have spent some time pondering this; Smallbone is already bowler friendly most the year round in the early part of the season. It is green and offers plenty of movement and mid to late in the season the bounce gets variable or low and slow. There is usually a month or two in the middle where it produces very flat lifeless wickets conducive to big scores which really allow bowlers to focus on the basics and bowling in good areas.
So I guess not more seamer friendly as such, just from a personal perspective a little more pace and bounce and carry would be nice.