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This Canterbury side has been building for the last few years. Additions and losses have been made that could benefit Canterbury in the short and long term. Blake Coburn has decided to hang up the cap and call it his day playing professional cricket for Canterbury. Todd Astle has also decided to hang up the cap after playing in all formats for New Zealand, and bringing up 230 games for Canterbury after 18 seasons with the province. This means a massive experience loss in the locker room.
However, Canterbury has also lost Cam Fletcher to Auckland. This means the next best wicketkeeper in New Zealand after Blundell and Latham have decided to move to arguably the worst team in all formats this year. This is a massive blow to Canterbury and with only Hay that can keep them going, they need to find an effective replacement quickly.
Canterbury has been on a run for the last few seasons. Consistently in the top 3 gunning for the title. They just needed the final piece to the puzzle. Michael Rae has decided to play for Canterbury this season. Bringing the top wicket-taker in the Super Smash was no hard task as he’s decided to be closer to family in Christchurch. However, they’ve convinced Michael Rippon to make the trip up from Dunedin!
In the last year, he’s not been the most clinical of bowlers leading to him not being selected for the Blackcaps again. He is a good consistent bowler who's good to bring you through a tough period and get you a wicket. Rippon is ready to dig in and ready to bring his A-game for Canterbury. He has big shoes to fill and has to live up to expectations quickly before questions start to come about why he moved provinces.
For the 16th contract, this one will be a real contest. Theo van Woerkom hasn’t been offered a contract this season and I don’t expect him to get one. Instead, I think Rhys Mariu will get this contract. He’s been a consistent performer for Canterbury averaging just under 60 in his first 8 innings in first-class cricket and he is only 21! However, another option could be Ma’ara Ave. Central Districts have decided to not give him a contract after not playing in 1 Plunket Shield or Ford Trophy match last season. He averages 44 in T20 cricket however his other 2 formats are lackluster. This could be a great opportunity to find some form and become a credible option for the Blackcaps in the future.
The Kings will line up in a balanced setup this year in all formats. In the Plunket Shield, they’ll swing it with power with their bowling stocks which have grown larger this year. With Rippon ripping it hard and their massive pace bowling attack I expect a great season from these guys. In the Ford Trophy and Super Smash they’ll have Michael Rae one of the best fast bowlers in the country for the limited-overs formats. With largely the same batting core as last year, they won’t be caught short in any format. Bowling good line and length with an aggressive batting core will make for a great team that can push to win in all 3 formats.
Plunket Shield
Rhys Mariu
Mitch Hay
Cole McConchie
Leo Carter
Ken McClure
Zak Foulkes
Michael Rippon
Angus McKenzie
Henry Shipley
Fraser Sheat
Will O’Rouke
Ford Trophy
Rhys Mariu
Mitch Hay
Cole McConchie
Leo Carter
Matt Boyle
Zak Foulkes
Michael Rippon
Angus McKenzie
Henry Shipley
Will O’Rouke
Michael Rae
Super Smash
Chad Bowes
Ken McClure
Leo Carter
Cole McConchie
Mitch Hay
Zak Foulkes
Michael Rippon
Henry Shipley
Angus McKenzie
Michael Rae
Will O’Rouke
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