Family connections are nothing new in cricket, but tomorrow could see the continuation of one of Auckland’s great dynasties.
Twenty-six-year-old right-armer Michael Snedden — son of Martin, grandson of Warwick, great-grandson of Nessie, a great-nephew of Cyril and his nephew Colin, is in line to make his List A debut for the Aces after coming into the squad for the unavailable Robbie O’Donnell.
The O’Donnell clan is fashioning a mini-dynasty of its own — brothers Will and Robbie are the sons of Head Coach Mark O’Donnell, bearing the monikers of WOD, ROD and MOD respectively.
Catch you later Sean, I'm off this week. PHOTOSPORT
But there’s a long way to go to catch up with the remarkable Sneddens.
"Nessie" Snedden (1892-1968) played 39 matches for Auckland and captained New Zealand in the era before Test cricket; brother Cyril (1893-1985) played four games for the same team — long enough for a first-class career best of 119.
Their father, Alexander Snedden, had been one of half a dozen men who got together and purchased a rocky, boggy patch of Sandringham in 1903 then known, quite aptly, as Cabbage Tree Swamp — turning it into a place called Eden Park.
Colin Snedden (1918-2011) played six matches for Auckland and a sole Test for New Zealand when cricket resumed after World War II, and later became very well respected as a radio commentator in both rugby and cricket, His younger brother Warwick (1920-1990) played two matches for Auckland in 1946/47.
Right-arm seamers run in the family: this is Martin in the 1980s. PHOTOSPORT
Warwick’s son Martin of course grew up to become one of the original beige brigade, playing 25 Tests and 93 ODIs through the golden 1980s, and 47 List A and 55 first-class matches for Auckland before later becoming both a CEO and, currently, board member of New Zealand Cricket.
So, no pressure Michael — a fourth-generation right-arm pace bowler only has a bit to live up to there!
The departure of Canterbury’s BLACKCAPS duo Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham for UAE forces changes to the Auckland Aces’ opponents this week as the two sides head north to Eden Park Outer Oval for a rematch.
Fortunately for Canterbury captain Cole McConchie has been in good form. PHOTOSPORT
Canterbury has overtaken the Aces at the top end of the leaderboard but will need its squad to step up after Latham dominated in Round Two and Nicholls in Round Three with the top knocks.
Weather frustrated the plans of both the Central Stags and Northern Districts on Wednesday and all teams may have one eye on the sky in this round as the spring bluster continues.
Hot: Everyone's talking about the Firebirds' fabulous Fletcher. PHOTOSPORT
Showers and blustery conditions are forecast in Dunedin and Auckland while it’s set to be a windy day's cricket at the capital, meaning whoever gets to bowl into the wind will earn themselves an extra cheese toastie.
But all eyes, of course, will be on batting sensation Andrew Fletcher. Can his dream start continue at this breakneck pace?
Michael Rippon's up for a Volts-Stags rematch in Dunedin. PHOTOSPORT
The Firebirds head into this round as leaders and will meet still-winless Northern Districts in memory of the late Test player and ND legend Andy Roberts as the two sides contest the ADG Roberts Memorial Trophy.
Doug Bracewell’s mid-table Stags will be particularly keen to get back on a winning roll against the Volts, the side they downed in the opening round — after having followed up with a heavy loss to Canterbury, then having to settle for shared points with ND after Wednesday’s weather-related abandonment.
This Sunday marks the start of a block of away matches for the Central men while the Volts are finally at home, and coming off a stinging record hiding from the Firebirds at the Basin.
Second time lucky? Former South Africa U19 World Cup captain Dean Foxcroft will be hoping to make his debut. MBUTCHER
If allrounders are the hallmark of the Kiwi one-day game, the Stags are on point after having added yet another to their rather youthful contingent for Sunday — erstwhile BLACKCAPS left-armer Ben Wheeler making his first appearance of the summer after coming back from the spinal fusion surgery that one hopes will end his on-again, off-again run of injuries.
All Ford Trophy matches are live-scored with live video highlights here at NZC.NZ
ROUND FOUR
11am Sunday 4 November 2018
At Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland
FREE admission
AUCKLAND ACES
Craig Cachopa (c)
Finn Allen
Michael Barry
Graeme Beghin
Jamie Brown
Danru Ferns
Ben Horne (w)
Mitch McClenaghan
Will O'Donnell — potential Auckland Aces & List A debut
Michael Snedden — potential Auckland Aces & List A debut
Sean Solia
Will Somerville
+ Michael Snedden
- Robbie O’Donnell
CANTERBURY
Cole McConchie (c)
Chad Bowes
Leo Carter
Blake Coburn — potential List A debut
Andrew Ellis
Cameron Fletcher
Andrew Hazeldine
Ken McClure
Stephen Murdoch
Henry Shipley
Will Williams
Theo van Woerkom
+ Leo Carter, Ken McClure
- Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls
At the Basin Reserve, Wellington
FREE admission
WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS
Hamish Bennett (c)
Peter Younghusband
Michael Bracewell
Devon Conway
Andrew Fletcher
Lauchie Johns (w)
Iain McPeake
Jimmy Neesham
Ollie Newton
Malcolm Nofal
Jakob Bhula
Ben Sears
+ Ollie Newton
- Alex Ridley (hamstring)
NORTHERN DISTRICTS
Dean Brownlie (c)
Jimmy Baker
Peter Bocock (w)
Joe Carter
Henry Cooper
Anton Devcich
Zak Gibson
Brett Hampton
Nick Kelly
Daryl Mitchell
Brett Randell
Joe Walker
+ - Unchanged
At University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
FREE Admission
OTAGO VOLTS
Mark Craig (co-captain)
Jacob Duffy (co-captain)
Matt Bacon
Warren Barnes
Neil Broom
Josh Finnie
Shawn Hicks
Anaru Kitchen
Mitch Renwick (w)
Michael Rippon
Hamish Rutherford
Nathan Smith
+ - Unchanged
CENTRAL STAGS
Doug Bracewell (c)
Ma’ara Ave (w)
Josh Clarkson
Greg Hay
Dean Foxcroft — potential Central Stags and List A debut
Christian Leopard
Willem Ludick
Ryan McCone
Felix Murray
Bevan Small
Ben Smith
Ben Wheeler
+ Ben Wheeler
- Navin Patel
