[Kippax]

Wicket ways beckon Ryder | Hawkes Bay Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Hawkes Bay

Some really bad news for the Stags here, will let me put up a bit of Mathieson footage though probably.

Stags spoilt for player choice | Stuff.co.nz

His Manawatu team-mate, speedster Bevan Small, could have been an option to replace Bracewell but is still suffering from a recurring rib injury.

"I'd absolutely love to have him on the park" Hunt said. "The reality is he's going to have some surgery quite soon."

CD will have their test players available for about eight games of the Plunket Shield this season but they will be a rare sight in the shorter formats.

Left-arm swing bowler Ben Wheeler from Marlborough has recovered faster than expected from injury and should play, while CD will see more of leg-spinner Tarun Nethula than expected, after he was dropped from the national side.

Northern Districts newcomer Andrew Mathieson, former Wellington right-armer Andrew Lamb and Manawatu's Roald Badenhorst should fight it out for the final bowling spot in the XI.