Hawke Cup cricket returns to the centre stage at the weekend with the semi-finals of the revamped competition.

The change in format was necessary after city associations were dropped from the competition. As the holder at the time was Dunedin City a different competition to the traditional challenge method was needed to determine who would be the new winner.

A series of play-offs were held in five zones around the country to reach the point where four semi-finalists will play off this weekend to determine the finalists.

At Hamilton's Galloway Park, Hamilton City will host Canterbury Country while at Napier's Nelson Park, Hawke's Bay will play Bay of Plenty.

The final will be played in a fortnight.

Hawke's Bay selection chairman Harry Findlay goes into the semi finals keen to see the side continue the momentum gained during the preliminary games. The team beat Wairarapa, Horowhenua Kapiti, Wanganui and Marlborough.

However, at the back of local minds is the loss to Manawatu in a one-day game in Palmerston North in which Hawke's Bay was all out for 41 on a green, wet track in 25 overs to which Manawatu replied with 42.

Also of concern is a recent run of bad weather in the Bay which has affected club cricket. And with universities around the country having resumed players are spread far and wide which makes match impression much more difficult.

Leading contributors for the side this year have been Craig Findlay, Paul Whittaker, Sanjewa de Silva, Martyn Sigley, David Kelly and Taraia Robin.

Injury worries have affected Bay of Plenty's build up to the game. The side has found its run scoring potential at the right time of the summer.

It qualified for the semi-final by beating Nelson when chasing 407 to win on the first innings and managing the target for the loss of four wickets with Niven Aldridge, Mitchell Sweetman, Grant Manners and Andrew Hamilton all among the runs.

Graeme Aldridge is the side's major concern going into the game having suffered a groin injury. Also in the bowling ranks are Leighton Hammond, Matthew Hart and Grant Manners.

Former International coach Geoff Howarth has been working with the side since Christmas.

In Hamilton, the home team will be host to Canterbury Country which has some impressive players in its side, including Brad Doody, Harley James, Peter Fulton, Brendon Donkers, Simon Murphy and Danny Bulman.

Canterbury Country assured themselves of a place by taking an outright win over their nearest rivals, Southland.

While there have been some injury problems selection convener James Shipley has been facing some tough decisions before finalising his squad to travel.

Several members of the side experienced winning the Hawke Cup two summers ago and they are keen to make the most of this year's opportunity.

Hamilton has good form going into the game which should be played in good conditions after several weeks of hot weather.

They beat Northland recently which is always a good tussle but will not be able to call on Daniel Vettori for the game. However, Mark Bailey has been a stand out player for the side this summer and can be expected to be a key man in the semi-final.

Simon Doull is also keen to play while Bruce Martin offers good spin cover.

Captaining the side is Adil Somani, the only player to have registered 100 games for Hamilton. Simon Andrew is also regarded a young player to watch.

Hamilton, which has replaced the former Waikato in the competition, has never won the Hawke Cup despite having three shots at it.

"There will be no excuses this time," selector Colin Stevens said.

"We are really looking forward to it. It is a test to play three-day cricket. You need guys who can bat a long time and we will be tested in that area," he said.

The format this year has had support from all four semi-finalists and there are some mixed feelings about whether this year's system is better than the challenge system.

Beard summed up the feelings when he said: "It has been a good system, a bit different and they guys have been enjoying it. I don't what they Bay policy is on it, there is a meeting next week. Whatever happens it won't really matter to us, we'll just go for it."

© CricInfo