Willows CC to play seven matches here

Anushka WITHANAGE

An under 17 team of Willows Cricket Club from Christchurch, New Zealand is in Sri Lanka to play seven matches against a selection of schools and combined teams.

The tour is sponsored by the former National cricket team sponsor Dilmah Tea, which is the number one tea brand in New Zealand.

The tour is in association with Sri Lanka cricket (SLC) and who has facilitated and sponsored all the match arrangements and logistics.

Under the sponsorship deal, Dilmah will also sponsor an SLC development squad tour of New Zealand, later this year.

The Willows Cricket Club in north Canterbury, has produced some famous names such as John Wright, Lance Cairns and Shane Bond.

The team coach is former Hampshire cricket professional Richard Hayawood, who is presently the coaching co-ordinator of the Canterbury Cricket Association, and his assistant is former Canterbury player Andrew Nuttall.

The Willows Team: Paul Mcewan (Manager), Richard Hayawood (Coach), Andrew Nuttall (Asst Coach), Theo van Woerkom, Blair Soper, Edward Nuttall, Tom Gibson, Tawera waru, Sam Lawson, Cole Macconchi, James Richards, Hamish Teal, Trim Hampoto-Hatehe, Simon Ward, MattWinter, Mitchella croft.

The match schedule:

Sat March 28 vs St. Thomas College at BRC Ground

Sun March 29 vs Sri Lanka XI at R.Premadasa Ground

Tue March 31 vs Central PROV XI at Asgiriya Stadium

Wed April 01 vs Trinity College at A sgiriya Stadium

Fri April 03 vs Provincial XI at Welagedara Stadium

Sun April 05 vs Sri Lanka XI at St.Joseph College.