Jackaroos and Blackjacks ready to roll at Trans Tasman
The annual Trans Tasman test series between Australia and New Zealand commenced across the ditch today. There will be more on the line than just national pride when the best of the best Australian and New Zealand bowlers go head to head on Christchurch soil in their annual Trans-Tasman encounter.
This year’s Tran-Tasman series coincides with a celebration of 100 years of ANZAC’s so whilst in a sporting arena the two countries are fierce enemies, there was once a time when we fought side by side with our neighbours in war.
Whilst the battle on the green will be ferocious if there is one thing about the Australian and New Zealand bowlers, the friendships remain strong off the green.
Dual World Junior Singles Champion Chloe Stewart will have the momentous task of overcoming the world’s best female bowler as Australia’s singles representative.
The youngster will play the coveted singles role and lead in the pairs for St Johns Park’s Anne Johns who together were the highest placed Australian men and ladies team at the recent Burnside Pairs in Christchurch; on the very greens she will make her senior debut.
Stewart may be the baby of the senior team however at the tender age of 14 Jono Davis will be the youngest ever to make his international debut in the development side.
The teen prodigy from Dubbo was named NSW Junior Bowler of the Year and is the current State Junior Singles Champion.
Steve Glasson OAM contested a number of Trans-Tasman’s in his illustrious career and knows too well the great honour you feel representing Australia.
“I cannot single out any one Trans-Tasman experience, it is the ultimate thrill to represent Australia at a Trans-Tasman and to put on the green and gold and that is what I will always remember,” Mr Glasson said.
“When one of the worst things I’ve ever seen in sport, the chappell underarm delivery took place in cricket, it certainly ignited the Trans-Tasman encounters on the bowling green and made the Australian’s more determined to win,” Mr Glasson said.
“Playing against the likes of Rowan Brassey and Peter Belliss were some of the best games you could ask for and now Pete and I will meet in a different capacity this Trans-Tasman.”
Steve Glasson OAM and Peter Belliss will ignite their rivalry in the coach’s corner as the Australian National Coach and New Zealand Assistant Coach do battle once more.
The Australian Jackaroos and New Zealand Blackjacks will take lead from their experienced coaching staff in the three tests over three days.
The 100 year celebrations of the ANZAC’s will commence with a minute silence and reading of the oath during the welcoming ceremony before play gets under way.
The first two test matches will consist of three rounds (6 matches in total); with the last day of play, Friday March 20, just two rounds (four matches in total).
Australia will be looking to replicate their performance from last year’s Trans-Tasman by retaining the open men’s, women’s and development men’s overall trophies whilst the Australian development women are keen to return the trophy back to Australia.
Click here to watch the Trans Tasman live streaming.
