Fresh off a century on first-class debut for the Central Stags, it’s back to Hawke Cup business this weekend for Hawke’s Bay captain Angus Schaw.
Not required for the next round of the Plunket Shield, Schaw — along with Central Stags Jayden Lennox and Bayley Wiggins — heads back into action for Hawke’s Bay in the concurrent final Challenge Match of the 2023/24 season, at Napier’s Nelson Park.
A big 10 days for Angus Schaw | MBUTCHER
Holder Hawke’s Bay uplifted the Hawke Cup from Canterbury Country in Rangiora at the start of this summer, in a game that had been postponed from the previous season.
Since then they’ve kept a firm grasp on the prized silverware that they’re now looking to lock away for the winter — after having staved off Challenges from Manawatū, Counties Manukau and (once again) Canterbury Country over the past two months.
Hawke's Bay Cricket Association
Hoping to stand in their way over the next three days is the regional qualifier from Zone Four, South Canterbury.
South Canterbury is one of the oldest teams in the competition that began in 1910/11, and last challenged for the historic Hawke Cup 11 years ago, against Bay of Plenty.
They have uplifted the Cup only once in their long history, having taken it off Canterbury Country in the 1999/2000 season.
But the passion is deep.
Present day coach Anthony de Joux was a 2022 NZC Community Cricket Award winner for his outstanding contribution to South Canterbury’s local Celtic Cricket Club, and says the players heading to Napier are under no illusion as to how tough the impending match will be.
“We’re a really small Association with only three clubs in the senior grade, so this is huge for our District,” says de Joux.
“The whole team is really excited about challenging Hawke’s Bay for the Hawke Cup. This is the highest level of cricket for the guys so far in their careers, and we can’t wait for the game to start.
“We will have to play the best game we have, and will need the bounce of the ball to go our way. We’re expecting a huge battle with Hawke’s Bay who have already shown they are currently the best District Association in the country.”
From a player to a coach to a club president, the South Canterbury region has been part of de Joux’s cricketing DNA for more than 30 years, and he has faith in his team.
“Although we don’t have large numbers of players to pick from, the squad we put together each season is loaded with young talent, and very capable of taking on any other District.
“We’ve had a really good season so far, and have been building to this Challenge for a while now. Our supporters are already very proud of what we have achieved this season, and I’m sure the team won’t let them down this weekend.”
Hawke’s Bay coach Christie van Dyk meanwhile has experienced duo Todd Watson and young Toby Findlay back for the clash.
Toby Findlay | MBUTCHER
Sharp paceman Findlay has represented the Stags at first-class level — together with Lennox, Wiggins, Schaw, and Ben Stoyanoff, while Brett Johnson has played white-ball cricket for the Stags.
Findlay is now fully recovered from injury and back at the bowling crease, having proven in the interim that he can also be relied upon for a healthy injection of runs anywhere in the order.
Watson will play as a batter only, however, with the toss set for 10am tomorrow (Friday) and livescores at www.nzc.nz and on the NZC app throughout the final Challenge Match of the summer — every day free admission at Napier’s Nelson Park.
2023/24 Zone 4 Challenge Match
Hawke's Bay (Holder) v South Canterbury (Challenger)
Nelson Park, Napier
Friday 8 to Sunday 10 March 2024
SQUADS
HOLDER: Hawke's Bay • Hawke Cup squad
Angus Schaw - captain
Josh Fairbrother
Toby Findlay
Baylee Foote
Brett Johnson
Jayden Lennox
Liam McCarthy
Ben Stoyanoff
Dominic Thompson
Todd Watson
Bayley Wiggins
Jono Whitley
CHALLENGER: South Canterbury • Hawke Cup squad
Glen Drake - captain
Adam Beck
Liam Beck
Daniel Campbell
Sam Carlaw
Toby Clemett
Ben Davenport
Tom Ettridge
Jacob Naylor
Jed McKerrow
Shaun Rooney
William Sharp
William Wright
The free admission match begins at 10.30am with the toss as 10am and livescoring at www.nzc.nz and on the NZC app.
