Chiefs relying on batting power

Chiefs midfielder Richard Kahui is confident his side's powerful batting line-up will seal victory over a Celebrities XI in tomorrow's charity cricket match.

But he's less enthusiastic about his team's fielding and bowling.

The Twenty20 cricket game at Steele Park will be the second match to support the Chiefs' Pass It On Foundation, and the rugby players are keen to avenge last year's narrow loss.

"We've got quite a few good batsmen in the team, with Brendon Leonard, Callum Bruce and Colin Bourke – and the word on the street is Mike Delany's all right," Kahui said.

But Kahui – who will captain the Chiefs cricketers – admitted fielding and catching was "the real issue with the team".

"We tend to spray the ball around a bit. It's erratic, and no-one can hit a genuine length. There could be a few runs in the extras column."

Leonard was determined to win this year: "We can't lose two in a row."

Several Chiefs players had played business-house cricket to find some form, and he anticipated "sledging will be a massive part of our attack".

Celebrities XI skipper Robbie Hart, a former Black Cap, had been training by "running back and forth to the letterbox".

Hart's side includes former Blues and All Blacks halfback Steve Devine, former Chiefs flier Karl Te Nana, rugby league legend Dean Lonergan, ex-Northern Districts bowler Alex Tait and former world rowing champion Rob Waddell.

"I've heard Rob Waddell can bowl at 150kmh," Hart said. "

Hart saw a Chris Harris-type role for Hamilton East MP David Bennett, who shares a similar hairstyle to the Canterbury all-rounder.

Tomorrow's match starts at 3pm, and entry is free. A $10 raffle will be run, with the winner getting a lunch date with three Chiefs players at CBD Corner Pub.

- © Fairfax NZ News