Cricket: Tarnished gold

Dumped Black Cap Tama Canning says Jeff Wilson will be found out when he takes on the World XI next week.

Allrounder Wilson was the surprise selection in the New Zealand squad, 12 years after he played his last one-day international, meaning there was no room for Canning or his Auckland team-mate Andre Adams.

The 27-year-old Canning had been a contender to make the Black Caps after being called into the one-day side to face Australia last year to replace the injured Chris Harris, although he didn't see any action.

Canning's disappointment was obvious.

"I got a phone call from John Bracewell the day before the team was announced and he said that Wilson wasn't in front of me. If it had been a full international game then either myself or Andre would've been picked," Canning said.

"Jeff will get a go and I hope he does well, but I don't think he's technically good enough for that level.

"He's done alright at first-class level, but he is not good enough at that level in his batting and bowling.

"It will be good for him to get a taste of it at, but he just hasn't played against players of that standard.

"I think I'm good enough. I'm in really great form at the moment," said Canning who took 3-84 from 19 overs against Central Districts yesterday. "I'm hitting the ball really well and I'm bowling really well. I'm just itching to get into that international arena."

Canning's frustrating week continued during the first day of the State Championship match at Eden Park yesterday when his side was put to the sword by Ewen Thompson, who made his maiden first-class century.

Auckland might have been contemplating spending most of the afternoon at the crease having had CD in trouble at 93-5, but a 159-run partnership with Jared Englefield swung the pendulum back in CD's favour.

Thompson showed little respect for a bowling attack that contained five current or former internationals.

He quickly raced past his previous best score of 55 not out and brought up his century in 82 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes.

Thompson's luck eventually left him when he was run out in a snappy piece of work by Auckland skipper Brooke Walker. Englefield played the anchor role in a 268-minute vigil, but he fell five runs short of what would have been his third first-class century.

CD were dismissed for 350, with Canning and Kyle Mills taking three wickets each, while Auckland ended 20-1 at stumps.