Aces set to release English speedster

Media Release

Saturday 3 December 2016

The Auckland Aces have named a blend of youth and experience as they prepare to take on the Otago Volts in Sunday’s McDonald’s Super Smash opening match at Eden Park’s Outer Oval.

Seven players are set to make their Aces Twenty20 debuts in Sunday’s match, several of whom have played for Auckland in either Ford Trophy or Plunket Shield cricket.

Ben Horne, Sean Solia, Michael Barry, Dane Hutchinson, Glenn Phillips, Michael Guptill-Bunce and English import Tymal Mills are all in the twelve, Mills fresh off a stint in the Bangladesh Premier League where he played for the Chittagong Vikings.

The Aces come into the McDonald’s Super Smash as defending champions but skipper Rob Nicol knows last season’s performances don’t count for much.

“It was great to take it out last season but this is a new year and a new challenge, we are definitely up for it and the boys are all pumped to get into some white ball cricket,” Nicol says.

Tymal Mills is the Aces trick card up their sleeve, Mills’ bowling has been clocked over the 150km mark and has given international batsmen such as West Indian Chris Gayle the hurry up in recent times.

“Yeah it was nice to get Gayle as he’s such a dangerous batsman when he gets going,” Mills says.

The big left arm quick is hoping to do similar damage in the McDonald’s Super Smash.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out there in the Aces kit and making a difference with ball in hand,” Mills says.

Sean Solia made his Auckland debut just a few short weeks ago when he was selected to play Canterbury in Rangiora in the Plunket Shield.

“It was an honour to play my first game for Auckland against Canterbury and I would love to do it all again in the coloured clothing and try and help the boys defend the McDonald’s Super Smash title,” Solia says.

Ben Horne may also get his chance tomorrow and is relishing being around the squad.

“Yeah exciting times to be in the mix, always a bit of a buzz around the start of a campaign, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and hopefully getting on the front foot early doors,” Horne says.

With a balance of stroke makers and power hitters the Aces are primed and ready to take on the Volts tomorrow in what should be an explosive start to the McDonald’s Super Smash.

Auckland Aces
Michael Barry #24
Mark Chapman #88
Donovan Grobbelaar #25
Michael Guptill-Bunce #7
Ben Horne #15
Dane Hutchinson #1
Mitchell McClenaghan #81
Tymal Mills #56
Tarun Nethula #42
Rob Nicol © #13
Glenn Phillips #6
Jeet Raval #22
Sean Solia #10

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