Strong women’s side to kickstart Shrimpton Trophy campaign

The Bartercard Taranaki women’s team is back in action, and they’ve named a very handy lineup for their first game of the season against Manawatu on Sunday.
Taranaki will go into the match at Pukekura Park with plenty of ambition after a good off-season. First, there is the presence of some big guns, headlined by CD Hinds 2023 player of the year Natalie Dodd and Zimbabwean international player Christabel Chatonzwa.
In addition, key players have also been performing well in the brand-new women’s premier club competition, which has given most players vital preparation for the first match.
The presence of players such as keeper/batter Dodd and batter Emily Cunningham, a Hind last year who had a good offseason playing in the UK, along with allrounder Chatonzwa, and CD A batter Jessie Hollard and bowler Grace Foreman, means the side has a seasoned look to it.
This is despite the absence of last season’s captain Kate Baxter, senior batter Maree Gillespie and the promising Mel Megaw. With Baxter out, Amy Foreman has been named as captain by coach Doug Proffit, returning for his second, and first full, year in charge of the side. She will be well supported by vice-captain Lucy Mitchell and veteran Aimee Wisnewski, as well as batting allrounder Sarah Parker who has come to the side as she pushes for Hinds contention.
Proffit said it had been great to be able to put together a strong lineup for an important first up match in the Mike Shrimpton Trophy tournament.
“Not only the bigger names, but some of the youngsters in the mix like Caitlin Marshall, Sophie Campbell and Anika Scott are all very talented cricketers.
“There’s a very strong group of young girls pushing through in Taranaki Cricket at the moment, with a number of others working hard in the wider squad as well.
“It’s really good we can send some of them out this week alongside players who have been there and done that and have all the knowledge of the game that comes with that experience.”
Proffit rightfully wary of a very good Manawatu side that swept all before them in winning the 2022-23 Shrimpton Trophy, contested by CD association sides from Taranaki, Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Nelson.
While Taranaki has finished second the past two years, last year’s clash with Manawatu was one to forget as they fell to a 203-run loss after Jess Watkin smacked a brutal 155.
The sides’ second scheduled match was rained off at Pukekura Park, and Proffit said given they had no matches on the ground last year, everyone was fizzing to get into action on the weekend.
“It’s the spiritual home of Taranaki Cricket and we were all very disappointed the weather meant we couldn’t get out there last year,” he said.
“Our whole squad has worked hard over the offseason and everyone’s looking forward to putting what we’ve been working on out onto the field, in front of our friends, families and supporters here at home.”
The match also doubles as the annual Megan Washington Memorial Game, honouring the contribution Washington made as a member of both teams during the course of her career.

Full match details include live scoring can be found here at PlayHQ.

The full Bartercard Taranaki Women’s squad for 2023-24 is:
Amy Foreman (C), Lucy Mitchell (VC), Jordan Bolger, Sophia Bolton, Charlotte Butler, Sophie Campbell, Christabel Chatonzwa, Emily Cunningham, Natalie Dodd, Zoe Ellerton-Kelly, Grace Foreman, Cara Hollard, Jessie Hollard, Azaria Lander, Caitlin Marshall, Sarah Parker, Anika Scott, Aimee Wisnewski.

Coach: Doug Proffit
Manager: Rebekah Beaton