Cricket: Auckland need win for T20 final

Brad Wilson, who will replace James Marshall as skipper. Photo / Chris Rudsdale

The equation is simple but ND, who have lost their way in the last three rounds, still have designs on hosting rights too. Two points from a washout against Otago are their lot in that time, having lost to Wellington and Central Districts.

James Marshall has been axed as skipper for the final two round robin games, replaced by Brad Wilson.

"James hasn't been scoring runs and we need to give ourselves every opportunity to win the cup by getting our best team on the field to do the job," ND coach Grant Bradburn said.

Australian opener David Warner is back for the game and ND will look to him and South African import Herschelle Gibbs to lead the innings.

International pair Kane Williamson and BJ Watling return, with allrounder Joey Yovich. Wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan, Tim Southee and Scott Styris are all on T20 duty against Pakistan.

Auckland are in good shape and returning captain Gareth Hopkins likes the feeling in the squad.

"We used the Pakistan game [last Thursday] to keep momentum going," he said. "If we win we're in the final but we're not looking at that."

Hopkins likes what winning close games says of his players. Auckland have got the points in a couple of tight situations which on other days might not have been picked up.

"When you're winning the close ones, that says there's great character within the side and real belief that we can win from any position."

If ND lose, they can still make the final with victory over Canterbury in the final round on Wednesday. They have a slight points differential edge over CD - 0.662 to 0.463 - who visit Wellington today.

Wellington are out of contention but CD most certainly are not. They must win to set up their final-round home game against Auckland on Wednesday. In the other game today, bottom-placed Otago host Canterbury in Alexandra.

Points after eight rounds: Auckland 24, ND 18, CD 18, Canterbury 16, Wellington 14, Otago 6.

ND v AUCKLAND
Mt Maunganui, 2pm today

NORTHERN DISTRICTS:
(from) Brad Wilson (c), Daniel Flynn, David Warner, Herschelle Gibbs, Kane Williamson, James Marshall, Anton Devcich, BJ Watling, Joey Yovich, Brent Arnel, Bradley Scott, Trent Boult, Graeme Aldridge.

AUCKLAND:
(from) Gareth Hopkins (c), Colin de Grandhomme, Jimmy Adams, Anaru Kitchen, Lou Vincent, Dusan Hakaraia, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Andre Adams, Daryl Tuffey, Ronnie Hira, Bhupinder Singh, Michael Bates.One win will do it for Auckland; victory over Northern Districts at Mt Maunganui today will guarantee they host the domestic T20 final next Sunday.