Mondiale Aces team named for 1st Round of Plunket Shield
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
The 2015/16 domestic season is finally here and the first round of the Plunket Shield brought to you by Budget Rental
gets underway here at Eden Park Outer Oval tomorrow.
The Mondiale Aces will be taking on current shield holders Canterbury in a match up of last season's top two finishers.
The match up is one rich in history with Auckland and Canterbury having played 138 First-Class matches against each
other. Auckland have their nose in front with 49 wins to Canterbury's 45, while there have been 44 draws.
The team named to take on Canterbury is an experienced one. It will be led by Rob Nicol and includes many well known
faces to Mondiale Aces fans. The side features BLACKCAPS batsman Martin Guptill who will play the match before heading
to Australia with the national side, with fellow BLACKCAP Mitchell McClenaghan also included.
Coach Mark O'Donnell is pleased with how his side is shaping up.
"We have had a very productive pre-season and there is a good feeling around the team. It is always good to start the
season at home and Canterbury will be a stern first up test. You are always in for a battle playing last season's
champions but the side is ready and keen to take on that challenge."
A team will be named from the following 12 players:
Rob Nicol © (Cornwall)
Michael Bates (Suburbs New Lynn)
Brad Cachopa (Takapuna)
Colin de Grandhomme (Howick Pakuranga)
Donovan Grobbelaar (Howick Pakuranga)
Martin Guptill (Suburbs New Lynn)
Michael Guptill-Bunce (Cornwall)
Shawn Hicks (Howick Pakuranga)
Mitchell McClenaghan (Howick Pakuranga)
Tarun Nethula (Cornwall)
Robbie O’Donnell (Takapuna)
Matt Quinn (Cornwall)
AUDIO: Rob Nicol shared his thoughts on the start of the Plunket Shield here.
Entry to all Plunket Shield matches is free and if you are attending at Eden Park Outer Oval entry is through Gate J on
the southern side of the ground. The match starts at 10-30am.
ends