Marty Kain will be hoping to make make his first HRV Cup appearance in Nelson when the Central Stags take on the Canterbury Wizards in two matches in January. Photo: Phillip Rollo.

CD can’t wait for games at Saxton Oval

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Marty Kain hasn’t been reminding his coach that the two upcoming HRV Cup matches could be the first time he’s played domestic cricket in his hometown.

The 24 year old all-rounder is hoping his performances will do the convincing instead. “Oh it’d be brilliant. I’m sure my family would be really proud and that my mates will be here giving me plenty of abuse from the sidelines,” he says.

The former Waimea College cricketer left Nelson when he was just 15 years old to pursue a cricket scholarship in Christchurch. Now back in his city of birth, Marty is juggling his new job as a real estate agent with his cricketing career and he’s ticking off his goals both on and off the pitch.

He has played in all of the bottom-placed Stags’ first HRV Cup matches so far. But one thing that has eluded him during his domestic career is playing at Saxton Oval. However, that could all change on January 1 and 3 with the side set to take on the Canterbury Wizards in a double header. “As long as I can go well in the next few games then I might get the opportunity. I played the first two twenty20s and this is obviously a spinner-friendly wicket with big boundaries as well. It should make a difference to getting hit out of the park in Napier by Jesse [Ryder].”

Marty believes Central Districts need to win six or seven games to make the playoffs, but they are certainly not out of contention just yet. The side could be buoyed by the return of Blackcap Ross Taylor who is expected to be back in time for the two Nelson fixtures.

Both matches begin at 2pm.