Bell wary of Knights' hot form

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Wellington Firebirds skipper Matthew Bell couldn't be more effusive in his praise for the Northern Knights.

Bell said the hosts for the four-day Plunket Shield encounter starting tomorrow at Hamilton's Seddon Park tomorrow would prove daunting opponents.

"We're going to have our work cut out," said the former Northern Districts and New Zealand opening bat, who has been a stalwart of the Wellington side for the past 12 seasons.

"They obviously ticked a lot of boxes pre-season with their fitness and going to Australia to get some match preparation and it's paying off," Bell said.

"They're well led by James Marshall, whose been the backbone of ND for the past four or five years, you've got the experience of guys like Michael Parlane and Bradley Scott and the talent of Tim Southee, Brent Arnel and Peter McGlashan who are pushing for Black Caps selection honours.

"The with the likes of Joey Yovich, Graeme Aldridge, you can go right through the team – they're very well balanced."

The Knights have made flying start to the first-class season with two convincing outright wins to lead the Shield points table by six points while Wellington are third after picking up their first outright win in round two last week over Auckland.

"It was good to get our first win of the season and you have to play some half-decent cricket to win a game against Auckland," Bell said.

"It gave our guys some form and some confidence."

Bell was one of those in touch with the bat, making 94 before being dismissed in the last over before lunch on day one of their victory, while fellow opener Josh Brodie made 103 but didn't bat in the second innings after injuring his knee during his ton.

"He got a blow on the knee while batting that started to seize up and then got another couple of blows," Bell said.

"He had some bruising on his patella and was off his feet for a few days after but we're hopeful he'll be right to play."

Wellington were unlikely to have James Franklin available but were still hopeful of the services of Jeetan Patel.

Off-spinner Patel was named in the Black Caps squad of 13 for the first two tests against Pakistan but was unlikely to feature in the playing XI for the first test starting in Dunedin tomorrow and Bell was hopeful of having him released for the Firebirds if that was the case.

However, all-rounder Franklin picked up a knee injury when playing for the New Zealand Invitation XI against Pakistan in Queenstown last week.

Former Knights batsman Cameron Merchant will face his ex team-mates keen to impress and in outstanding touch. The Australian left-hander made his maiden first-class century in the win over Auckland after being dismissed for 99 in Wellington's opening round match against Canterbury.

Allrounder Grant Elliott and seamer Iain O'Brien are unavailable due to Black Caps duties.

SQUADS:

Northern Knights (from): James Marshall (c), BJ Watling, Brad Wilson, Michael Parlane, Anton Devcich, Kane Williamson, Joseph Yovich, Peter McGlashan, Graeme Aldridge, Jono Boult, Tim Southee, Bradley Scott, Anurag Verma, Brent Arnel, Trent Boult.

Wellington Firebirds (from): Matthew Bell (c), Josh Brodie, Neal Parlane, Cameron Merchant, Harry Boam, Luke Woodcock, Chris Nevin, DeWayne Bowden, Jeetan Patel, Robbie Schaw, Andy McKay, Stewart Rhodes, Brendan Crook.

- © Fairfax NZ News