New Zealand: Hopkins loyal to Canterbury (3 February 1999)

3 February 1999

New Zealand: Hopkins loyal to Canterbury

The Christchurch Press

Gareth Hopkins was a member of the Shell Cup-winning Northern Districts squad last season, but there is no doubt about where his loyalties lie in today's knockout match in Hamilton.

Hopkins says he is now "a Cantab through and through" and is focusing on one outcome only - a win for the red and blacks and a place in Saturday's final against Wellington.

Hopkins, 22, played as a batsman for much of Northern's cup campaign last summer, which included a semi-final and final successes against Canterbury.

"That was great then but I block out the past and am all behind the team I'm with now."

Hopkins shifted to Christchurch in search of the provincial wicketkeeper-batsman's position after the retirement of Lee Germon. He secured the spot after a tight tussle with Ben Yock.

He has vindicated the selectors' decision, taking equal-most dismissals (15) in the double round-robin play, while scoring 206 runs at 34.3 with the bat.

"I've been going okay but feel I should be doing better behind the stumps," said Hopkins. "There's been a bit of adjustment I suppose to the different bowlers."

While having been in the enemy camp last season, Hopkins said the teams have played so often and knew each other's players so well there was little more he can offer. "Perhaps just something on the new boys like Hamish Marshall."

Hopkins is not the only Northern defector in the Canterbury ranks with Stephen Cunis having shifted south this season from Northland after being unable to break into the Northern side.

After initially not being selected in the cup side, Cunis forced his way into the team and, from six matches, boasts some of the most economical bowling, conceding just 3.7 runs an over.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)