CRICKET - North places keenly sought

In normal circumstances Ross Kneebone would be busy pleading his case to the cricketing power brokers.
But Kneebone is still sleeping easy, despite being told that four of the best cricketing talents in the province - Tim Southee, James Marshall, Joseph Yovich and Brad Wilson - will not be released for any representative games for Northland this season.
Because after a quick assessment Kneebone, the Northland convenor of selectors, has realised there are plenty of cricketing fish swimming in Northland waters this season.
"We don't get any of the reps at any time this season," Kneebone said.
"That's a pity, but it's not a blow because we have plenty of players we think are good enough to step up.
"They have still got to step up, and I don't think any players will have any doubts that they will not last long in any team I am selecting if they don't perform, but I think we have got players to burn this season," he said.
Buoyed by a thorough and rigorous off-season training campaign and boosted with the arrival of five imported professionals, Kneebone said places in the Northland team would be hotly contested, even without the four big name players involved.
That has added some spice to the Northland premier club championship, which continues with the second round of the one-day competition tomorrow.
Kneebone said he would be watching performances closely and tossing players into the mix at weekly Northland training sessions being staged at Cobham Oval this summer.
But initially his main focus will be on a trial match scheduled at Cobham Oval next weekend where he will pitch two evenly matched teams and assess their abilities under pressure.
Already Kneebone said some young players have caught his eye, including Josh Matthews, a young opening bowler, and Kamo's off spin bowler Jamie Miller.
Wicketkeeper Ben Cochrane will return as captain this season and Dan Robinson is expected to push hard for representative honours when he returns from university studies as well.
"Jamie Lee seems to be in top form and there are several others who are putting their hand up - we just have to look very closely before we make our decisions," Kneebone said.
Tomorrow Lee is expected to lead the batting for Whangarei Boys' High School when they head south to play Kaipara Flats at Kaipara.
Meanwhile Cochrane is a vital figure for Maungakaramea as they host Bledisloe at Maungakaramea.
The other premier game is between City and Onerahi at Cobham Oval.