Northern Districts (ND) are back in action tomorrow as the Plunket Shield resumes with a home match against Canterbury at Seddon Park.

The team made a strong start to the red ball campaign before Christmas and sit second on the ladder, just four points separating themselves and Canterbury on top.

BJ Watling’s side was victorious in the return clash against tomorrow’s opponents at Hagley Oval back in November, with a third-innings bumper barrage proving decisive to bowl Canterbury out cheaply on a good batting wicket.

 With regular quick bowlers Scott Johnston, Matt Fisher, and Neil Wagner unavailable, Hamilton seamer Cooper Rowell has been called up to the Northern Districts squad for the first time after taking five wickets for the ‘A’ team in a dominant win against Central Districts ‘A’ at Nelson Park in Napier.

Joe Carter, Josh Brown, and Tim Seifert are also included, and they will all make their first red ball appearances of the season if named in the final XI.

Carter’s and Seifert’s most recent FC appearance was in the final match of the 2023/24 season against the Wellington Firebirds, with Seifert making an aggressive century.

Brown’s only previous FC appearance came back in April 2022, when a Covid hit ND side took on the Firebirds at Cobham Oval.

More recently, he has made three List A appearances for ND and was included in the Super Smash squad for last month’s Elimination Final in Wellington.

Tomorrow’s match is Northern Districts final on home turf in the 2024/25 season, with three away matches to follow in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.

Entry to Seddon Park is free for all spectators, with play set to start at 10.30AM on all four days.

The match can be followed digitally via the links below for those unable to attend.