Cricket Wellington
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 21 January 2010

Wellington Firebirds squad to play Central Stags in HRV Cup Twenty20

The Wellington Firebirds team to play the Central Stags in round eight of the 2009/10 HRV Cup Twenty20 at the Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve on Friday 22 January is:

Jeetan Patel (Captain)
Dewayne Bowden
BJ Crook
James Franklin
Paul Hitchcock
Mark Houghton
Andy McKay
Cameron Merchant
Chris Nevin
Neal Parlane
Owais Shah
Luke Woodcock

In one change to the Wellington Firebirds team that was named to play the Otago Volts in Sunday’s round six washed out game, Matthew Bell drops out of the team due to a broken toe. Bell broke his toe while batting in the Firebirds’ last match against the Northern Knights.

Jeetan Patel will captain the Wellington Firebirds in Bell’s absence.

“This will be my first time captaining Wellington, but being a senior player I’m comfortable I can step in for Matthew,” said Patel. “All of the players have provided input throughout the season and everyone understands each others roles so that will make my job easier.”
“I feel for Matthew who is an excellent leader, but he is also a tough customer so I’m confident he’ll bounce back quickly.”

This match takes on special significance following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti 10 days ago. Cricket Wellington is donating twenty percent of gate sales to international charity UNICEF. Additionally, Trademe auctions, a donation phone line, ground collections as well as sponsors’ contributions will also be part of the drive to raise funds.

Cricket Wellington Chief Executive Gavin Larsen says the Wellington Firebirds players and Cricket Wellington administration are right behind this fundraiser.

“It is with great sadness that we have witnessed the footage of this devastating disaster and watched the tragedy unfold,” he says “As such the staff and players alike at Cricket Wellington are embracing this ‘Howzat for Haiti’ cricket appeal and we hope this contribution can make a difference to some of the millions of people affected.”

Cricket Wellington already have New Zealand Cricket, HRV, Quality Hotel, Apex Print, Speedy Signs, Exodus Gym, Ticketek, Scarlett Events, the Dominion Post, The Radio Network, Railway Metro New World and the Centre of Dental Excellence on board and they are encouraging more businesses to get behind the worthy cause.

The Trademe auction, which includes items such as a gym membership, rare cricket memorabilia, and tickets to ACDC, is open online now, with the member name ‘howzat_4_haiti’. It will be added to regularly. The auction items can be viewed on Trademe.

The UNICEF 0800 number for donations is 0800 800 124. This will be advertised on SKY TV during the match. Further to the donation line, the SKY cricket commentary team will be promoting the fundraiser during the match. People can also donate through http://www.unicef.org.nz/ , as well as at the match.

Match details
Wellington Firebirds v Central Stags
Friday 22 January, 5.00pm – 8.00pm, Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve, Wellington.
Gates open 4pm
Adult $15
Child $5
Family (2 adults, 2 children) $35
(Twenty percent of gate sales to be donated to Unicef’s Haitian earthquake appeal).

Match information
Head to head:

Played 5, won 2, lost 2, no result 1

First met:

26 January 2007 at Wellington. Win to Wellington by 6 wickets.

Last met:

3 January 2010 at New Plymouth. Win to Central by 19 runs.

Wellington v Central Twenty20 records:

Wellington highest total: 189 for 9, at New Plymouth 3 January 2010

Wellington best batting: Chris Nevin 87 not out, Wellington 26 January 2007

Wellington best bowling: Mark Houghton 3 for 24, Wellington 26 January 2007

ENDS

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