Cricket: Coach says rain was the culprit, not us

Mark O'Donnell

It still bugs Mark O'Donnell that the finger gets pointed at the Auckland team as one of last season's under-achievers.

O'Donnell quickly points out that any real chance the team he coaches had of making the final virtually disappeared when rain struck in the matches against Otago and Central costing Auckland what could have been invaluable points.

"But, having said that, we did not play consistently well enough," O'Donnell says. "We picked up injuries at the wrong times.

"To be competitive this season we need to have a harder attitude and make the play ourselves rather than waiting for the opposition."

The State Championship starts on Monday, with Auckland away to Northern Districts followed a day later by matches between Otago and Central Districts in Queenstown and Canterbury and Wellington in Christchurch.

A second round will be played this month before a break during which the State Shield (one-day) competition will start.

Given the recent events in Australia, O'Donnell is convinced the Black Caps selection door has again been pushed open.

"There must be a chance for players like Lou Vincent and Matt Horne to put their hands up," O'Donnell says. "That's how players like Michael Papps and Mathew Sinclair were selected. If a player scores runs he deserves to be looked at."

Auckland have a predictable look.

Of the 11 who played in last season's opening match, seven are in the present squad.

Test opener Mark Richardson is back from Australia and likely to have former Wellington and one-test player Richard Jones as his opening partner. That would allow Vincent to drop down the order.

Auckland are without Tim McIntosh (now with Canterbury), Andre Adams and Kyle Mills (in Australia), Paul Hitchcock (injured) and Craig Pryor (retired).

Tim Lythe returns after playing a couple of games a couple of years ago. The offspinner provides an option to captain Brooke Walker.

The only newcomer is Papatoetoe pace bowler Lance Shaw, who joins brother Gareth in the 12 named for the season opener.

Northern have a couple of new medium-fast options.

Hamilton's Te Ahu Davis, who impressed as a member of New Zealand's under-19 team is, according to ND coach Bruce Blair, ready to step up.

He is joined in the squad by fellow Hamiltonian Ryan Shutte, who bowls right-arm medium-pace and bats left-handed.

He arrived from South Africa 18 months ago.

At the top of the order Llorne Howell swaps his Auckland cap for the maroon of Northern.

In the other major change, retired wicketkeeper Robbie Hart is replaced by B. J. Watling, another from the national under-19 side. He has scored a heap of runs in matches at the academy.

Bruce Martin, injured on the New Zealand A tour of South Africa, will miss the opening Championship matches, but could be ready for the one-dayers.

James Marshall takes the captaincy vacated by Hart.