New Zealand News Round-up (21 Aug 1998)

21 August 1998

New Zealand News Round-up

The Christchurch Press

by Shayne Currie

One of New Zealand's promising young cricketers is set to pack his gear bag and move to Christchurch.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Gareth Hopkins, 21, a former national youth team player, is in the running to replace the retired Lee Germon behind the stumps for Canterbury this season.

Northern Districts cricket chief executive John Turkington said he understood that Canterbury had approached Hopkins, but Canterbury officials said the player contacted them.

"We are presuming he's going to move, but it's unconfirmed," said Canterbury Cricket Association chief executive Tony Murdoch.

While Canterbury would welcome Hopkins if he chose to move here, there was no promise of an automatic place in the provincial side.

Hopkins, who is at present playing league cricket in England, is seen as a potential replacement for former New Zealand captain Germon, who retired from first-class cricket at the end of last season.

Hopkins has had to try to force his way in to the ND side as a specialist batsman, with captain Robbie Hart ensconced behind the stumps.

Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald said Hopkins got in touch with him during MacDonald's recent three-month stint in Holland.

"There's always two or three guys that are on the move around the country. As far as Canterbury are concerned, if they want to come here they can. We put a lot of money and time into the development of our own people."

Hopkins is expected back in the country by early next month.

He played just two Shell Trophy matches for ND last season, batting three times for an average of 19.

Turkington said he understood Canterbury approached Hopkins but, if he did leave, he would go with ND's blessing.

Hopkins was good enough to play first-class cricket but, unless there was an injury to Hart, he would probably not be in ND's starting XI.

"We are very keen to retain him. However, if he was to leave, Canterbury would probably be "the best option", Turkington said.

New Zealand allrounder Dion Nash will play his domestic cricket in Auckland during the 1998-99 summer.

"It makes sense. I live here, I went to school here, I support the Auckland Blues. "Auckland offers a good professional environment which I believe will help my development and future," said Nash, who has been playing for Northern Districts.

Former New Zealand cricketer Brian Hastings is poised to become the new president of Canterbury Cricket. Hastings is the sole nomination to fill the position left vacant by outgoing president Clarrie Anderson. The Canterbury Cricket Association's annual meeting will be held on Wednesday evening. Hastings, an assistant manager of The Press, played 31 test matches for New Zealand, scoring four centuries, with a batting average of 30.20.

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