Cricket: Otago pair in NZ U19 side

Two of Otago's brightest hopes for the future have been named in the New Zealand team for the ICC under-19 world cup in the United Emirates next month.

Bowler Jack Hunter (18) and all-rounder Josh Finnie (16) will join the 15-man squad which leaves New Zealand at the beginning of February.

The squad will play two warm-up games before facing the West Indies in its opening round-robin match on February 10.

Hunter, who plays his club cricket for Taieri, made a name for himself late last year when he bowled New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum during a club game at Brooklands Park.

He is a right-arm, medium-pace seamer whose strength is his ability to nip the ball away from the right-hander and hit a good length. He gets late swing and also has great variations.

Finnie will be a year 13 pupil at Otago Boys' High School this year and attracted plenty of attention when he scored 157 in the regional quarterfinal of the national club knockout tournament to help the OBHS 1st XI beat Invercargill club Marist by 152 runs late last year.

A heavy-hitter, he whacked 12 sixes and eight fours in the innings. He is also a very useful offspinner.