Otago Boys’ High School gunning for National First XI success

Otago Boys’ High School was third at the National First XI cricket tournament last year and return to the 2017 finals in Palmerston North in the first week of December with a reasonably young team, compared to previous years.  Six of the players return in 2018, but most have played some age-group representative cricket in recent years.

Otago BHS won the Gillette Cup in 1992 and 1993 and last year’s ranking was their highest finish in several years.  

Otago BHS have had a top season thus far and should be very competitive in Palmerston North in December.

Full Squad

Coach: Tim Ford
Manager: Ken Rust
Players: Hunter Kindley (Captain), Max Chu (Vice-captain), Marc Cormack, Jacob Day, Thomas Harding, Charlie Holt, Tim Horton, Josh Kellett, Ben Lockrose, Jack Pryde, Michael Ruske, Tommy Wilson.

Reps
NZ Under-19 World Cup Training Squad: Hunter Kindley, Max Chu, Ben Lockrose.
Otago Under-19: Jack Pryde.
Otago Under-17: Thomas Harding, Charlie Holt, Josh Kellett, Tommy Wilson, Michael Ruske.

Prospects
Manager Ken Rust has attended numerous tournaments and says as a rule Year 13 players dominate the Tournament. For Otago to win, the most experienced players have to perform consistently at their best over the five games.

Four of Otago’s Year 13s play for clubs in the Senior Men’s’ Dunedin Cricket Competition, the rest of the team play in the Second Grade Men’s’ Division.

Additionally Otago play three traditional two-day interschools all of which were won outright in 2017. Both games in the Zone Finals were won by more than 130 runs. The team had a convincing win against a strong Willows team last month.

Max Chu and Hunter Kindley were among the top four run scorers at last year’s tournament, with Ben Lockrose one of the top wicket-takers and Kindley the top all-rounder.

Max Chu and Jack Pryde hold a record from the 2015 tournament for the most runs scored for the 6th wicket.
That experience will be invaluable, especially in new conditions. Otago will be a fit and well-drilled unit in the field with most of the boys top all-round sportsman.

Pryde, Holt and Wilson are in the 1st XI hockey team. Josh Kellett, is the school’s top racquet player. Tim Horton will represent the school in the National Secondary Schools athletics championships prior to the tournament. Marc Cormack was captain of the 2nd XV rugby team. Kindley and Michael Ruske are in the 1st XI Basketball team and Max Chu is in the 1st XI Football team.

This profile is in partnership with the Association of Boys’ Schools of New Zealand