Cricket: Virus infects Vincent's test chances

Incumbent New Zealand test opener Lou Vincent's slim hopes of playing in the first test against South Africa next month suffered a major setback yesterday.

Desperately in need of runs to keep his name on selectors' minds, Vincent was in New Plymouth to play for Auckland in the State Championship match against Central Districts at Pukekura Park.

However, he was sent home after coming down with a viral infection before the start of the match.

Vincent has played only one match since returning from a lengthy break due to a finger injury.

Vincent's late withdrawal might have unsettled the Auckland batting lineup in the early stages yesterday, but by stumps they had recovered to be 311 for eight, after being put into bat by Central Districts.


* Otago captain Craig Cumming started yesterday with a toothache and finished it with a headache as Wellington edged closer to the championship final.

Cumming missed the start of play in the crucial four-dayer at the Basin Reserve after being kept awake by toothache.

A visit to the dentist fixed the problem, but he faced another sleepless night after Neal Parlane guided Wellington to the relative comfort of 262 for six at stumps on the first day of their match.

Otago must win the final match of the round robin outright to pip leaders Wellington for a berth in the final on March 4-7.

First innings points will virtually assure Wellington of a berth in the decider, so the equation was simple for them once Cumming called correctly and elected to bowl: score as many runs as possible.

Otago wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins took much credit for Wellington's top order failing to kick on with two top catches, the first to remove James Franklin for 21 before a sensational diving effort to his right to snare an inside edge from left-hander Luke Woodcock, who made 26.

* Canterbury fast bowler Chris Martin provided national selector Ross Dykes a timely reminder of his talents with a hostile spell late on the first day of the match against Northern Districts in Gisborne.

Martin helped haul Canterbury back into the match after Nick Horsley had posted his third first-class century. With Matthew Hart, on 64, and Jaden Hatwell, 68, looking capable of steering Northern Districts towards a total of perhaps 500, Canterbury captain Peter Fulton's move to bring Martin back into the attack paid immediate dividends.

First Hart fell, caught behind to Andrew Ellis, then Hatwell was struck four times in one over by Martin as the former international found a new lease of life in the final 10 overs.

When he finally had Hatwell caught fending a delivery to Ellis at third slip, the home side had gone from a comfortable 301 for four to 307 for six.

Northern Districts reached stumps on 330 for six, with Joseph Yovich on 12 and Robbie Hart on 10.

- NZPA