Josh back in form as new season begins

Former Nelson cricketer Josh Clarkson has produced his best-ever one day bowling figures, 5/32, 10 years after making his domestic debut.

Fresh from playing for New Zealand A in South Africa where he had only claimed one wicket in four matches, the Central Districts right-arm medium pace bowler ran through Wellington in their first Ford Trophy match of the season in New Plymouth.

His first scalp was Black Cap Tim Robinson and he then clean bowled two other internationals, Nick Kelly and Tom Blundell.

It was his first five-wicket bag at A-list cricket level. He also sent down two maiden overs in his 10 over spell as the Stags limited Wellington to 199 on the usually batter-friendly Pukekura Park.

Twenty-eight-year-old Josh then clouted two sixes as CD won by four wickets.
Adding to the Nelson connection, his former provincial teammate Greg Hay has stepped into the role of interim coach for his old side.

The 41-year-old only retired from playing in March last year. Coming in just four days before the start of the new season, Greg described it as an SOS.

He will stay on for the longer Plunket Shield first-class competition before resuming his assistant coach duties with the Central Ferns, the women’s team he joined last season.