KEY POINTS:
Auckland's ambitious plans to lure a top international player for the latter part of the domestic Twenty20 competition are on track, despite almost certainly missing out on Australian batting great Matthew Hayden.
Hayden, who retired after the recent South African test series, was sounded out about a stint
with Auckland as the province looks to enhance its chances of winning the competition and thus securing a trip to the Champions League in India this year.
Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade yesterday said difficulties over Hayden's availability for the window of two or three games they were seeking meant that, although not a dead duck, the plan was unlikely to work.
But another big name, a current international, is in the pipeline, with Auckland hoping to make an announcement early next week.
Eade was silent on the identity of the player, only maintaining he is a "very high-profile current international player".
One appealing possibility would be a top Indian player. The last three rounds of the competition are on February 18, 20 and 22. India start their New Zealand tour on February 25.
Eade said Auckland had been investigating the idea of bringing in an overseas player before New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum made his one-off appearance for New South Wales in their domestic Twenty20 final late last month.
"We were thinking about what was possible. When that happened we knew we were on the right track," Eade said.
Auckland's rationale for chasing a big name includes several factors:
* It would enhance prospects of the province winning the domestic title, with the possible Indian spinoff to follow;
* Champions League teams are allowed four professionals. New Zealand teams have one, therefore having the chance to use an international player, who would be eligible for the league if available, would help that quality base;
* It would be good for the profile of the domestic game;
* Younger players would benefit from sharing a dressing room with a leading overseas player;
* And it would not cut out a local player getting his chance.
Auckland's English professional Steven Croft would stand down for the overseas signing. Officials had discussed it with Croft and he was happy with the arrangement.
Meanwhile former New Zealand fast bowler Daryl Tuffey has made himself unavailable for the Twenty20 competition.
Tuffey is aligned to the Indian Cricket League, the opposition Twenty20 competition in India to the more powerful Indian Premier League, who run the Champions League.
Had Tuffey played for Auckland it would have jeopardised the province's chances of playing in the Champions League, if they win the New Zealand title and are invited to India.
Instead Tuffey will help Auckland's bowlers in a coaching capacity for the remainder of the Twenty20.
