The HRV Cup Twenty20 will have added attraction with a number of international stars featured in local teams.
The matches will begin with the Central Stags taking on Northern Knights at Seddon Park in Hamilton tomorrow (December 1).
It will also mark the commencement of yet another exciting Summer of Cricket.
With Pakistan touring New Zealand as a lead up to ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, cricket will dominate social discussions over a good part of the New Year.
Central Stags, who dominated the Tournament and took home the HRV Cup during the 2009/2010 season, will undoubtedly defend the title this year.
The team would have the benefit of England all-rounder Mike Yardy and former English international Ian Blackwell.
Some of the greatest names in today’s Cricket, including Martin Guptill, Brett Lee, Dan Vettori and Brendon McCullum will be on the field offering their best performances in the game that is known for its uncertainties.
Auckland Aces will be pitched against Central Stags at the Colin Maiden Park on December 3.
Twenty20 is a thrilling format of the game and has been able to attract huge crowds around the world since its inception. HRV Cup pulled record crowds last season, making it the highlight of the cricketing summer.
The new season offers more compelling reasons than ever to watch the HRV Cup games, the foremost of which is of course the presence of international players in local teams.
The Northern Knights have Scott Styris back in their squad, along with South African power hitter Herschelle Gibbs and Australian T20 stars David Warner and Brad Hodge.
Auckland Aces have lined up Andre Adams, Lou Vincent and Englishman Jimmy Adams.
The Wellington Firebirds bring in experienced Australian fast bowler Brett Lee to play in the competition alongside English ODI and T20 specialist Luke Wright.
The Canterbury Wizards have the services of outstanding all-rounders South African Johan van der Wath and Dutchman Ryan ten Doeschate, whilst the team awaits confirmation of Shaun Tait’s return after surgery.
The Otago Volts have signed Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens and Sussex batsman Chris Nash for this season.
All the Blackcaps will represent their teams in the second week of the competition after returning home from an exciting tour of India.
The teams engage in fierce battles with the winning side qualifying to represent New Zealand in the elite Champions League T20 competition held later in the year, in which top domestic Twenty20 teams from around the world compete against each other for recognition and huge sums of prize money.
For full details and updates, visit aucklandcricket.co.nz or hrvcup.co.nz
Auckland Aces Home Games Colin Maiden Park fixtures Dec 3 (5pm): Central Stags Dec 5 (2 pm): Northern Knights Dec 18 (2 pm) Otago Volts Dec 19 (2 pm) Wellington Firebirds Dec 21 (5 pm): Canterbury Wizards |