Cunningham back for Hawke Cup challenge

Former Central Districts A all-rounder Jarred Cunningham is a shock late selection for Manawatu's Hawke Cup challenge against Hawke's Bay starting in Napier tomorrow.

The 23-year-old has been living in Auckland for the past eight months, and played for Manawatu before that, but is moving back to Palmerston North next week.

With George Worker on Central Districts duty and Abi Ganugapati out injured, Manawatu needed a spinner for the three-day clash.

Cunningham's right-arm off-spinners will fill the void.

Manawatu player-coach Ian Sandbrook said the inclusion of Cunningham was timely after Ganugapati dislocated his shoulder last weekend.

"We really needed to have a spinner and JC [Cunningham] is actually moving back here next week so it was all on the cards, the timing was right and he's keen-as to play," Sandbrook said, adding that there were no issues with Cunningham's eligibility.

"No, it's all been cleared by New Zealand Cricket."

The only potential issues concerned overseas players, those playing for two districts in a season or a stand-down if they were not going to be living in the area they would represent. Cunningham said he was looking forward to coming in to play in such an important game as the Hawke Cup challenge.

Luke Murray sent him a text on Monday night "saying they had the challenge and I said I might be back", Cunningham said.

"Abi's injured so they needed a spinner."

Cunningham has been playing for the Grafton club in Auckland and is the son of former Manawatu coach and Central Districts selector Gary Cunningham.

A skilful all-rounder, Cunningham has made a few starts in club cricket with the bat this summer without producing any big scores, but his bowling was going well.

The former Palmerston North Boys' High School student was due to fly to Napier this evening and link up with the team, but he wasn't sure what his role with the bat would be this weekend.

"I haven't been told that. I imagine I'll bat about eight or nine. I think it'd be quite rude for me to slide straight back in up the order."

Marist batsman Matthew Short has been named in the 12-man squad after recovering from a back injury and New Zealand under-19 bowler Bevan Small is back after suffering a foot complaint.

Only 11 can play in a challenge match so a 12th man will be named tomorrow morning once the pitch conditions have been assessed. Hawke's Bay will probably welcome back New Zealand under-19 all-rounder Doug Bracewell.

For the Hawke Cup to change hands, a team only needs a first-innings win. Worker's absence is a big loss for Manawatu. The classy left-hander smashed an unbeaten 100 against Taranaki last month to keep Manawatu in contention for a challenge and he top-scored last weekend against Wairarapa with 67.

Manawatu last won the Hawke Cup in 2002 after beating Hamilton, but then lost it to Hawke's Bay in their first defence.

Manawatu: Luke Murray (c) (Freyberg), Will Murrie (Freyberg), Ian Sandbrook (Marist), Dave Meiring (Marist), Dane Cleaver (Freyberg), Dominic Rayner (Freyberg), Roald Badenhorst (Marist), Jarred Cunningham (United), Adam Milne (Marist), Bevan Small (Freyberg), Brynn Templeman (Old Boys), Matthew Short (Marist).

- © Fairfax NZ News