Cricket: Auckland wants more of same

By TERRY MADDAFORD

With a five-point lead and buoyed by their outright win over Canterbury, Auckland are looking for more of the same in their return to Colin Maiden Park in Glen Innes this morning to play Central Districts.

"I thought we played very well against Canterbury," Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell said yesterday. "Same stuff, different day, I hope."

With pace bowler Gareth Shaw under an injury cloud, Auckland have included Howick-Pakuranga left-armer Andy McKay in the 13-man squad from which they will name the team for the sixth-round State Championship match. McKay has yet to play at this level.

They have also brought in offspinner Tim Lythe as a second spin option. Lythe last played for Auckland a couple of seasons ago.

Lance Hamilton, who cried off in Central Districts' last game - the outright loss to Northern Districts in Napier - will miss this match.

Greg Todd has been named in the side along with Tim Anderson and Greg Loveridge, who did not play in Napier.

Graeme Aldridge, who started his teaching training this week, is missing from the Northern Districts side for their home game against Otago.

They have brought in newcomer Gareth Irwin, a left-arm pace bowler/batsman who played in the New Zealand youth side two seasons ago. Matt Hart is back from injury and should play.

Otago are without Jeff Wilson, Robbie Lawson and James McMillan, all injured.

Andrew Hore, Kerry Walmsley and David Sewell have joined the side for the game at Westpac Park as Otago and Northern seek consecutive outrights.

Out-of-form Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart has been dropped for their game against Wellington at the Basin Reserve.

His place is taken by debutante Neil Broom on the back of good form for Canterbury A.

After playing in the loss to Auckland, English professional Paul Franks has been replaced by Warren Wisneski, who returns from injury.





Points: Auckland 18, Wellington 13, Central, Otago 12, Northern, Canterbury 7.

Auckland v Central Districts, Colin Maiden Park. - -

Auckland (from): Mark Richardson, Tim McIntosh, Matt Horne, Llorne Howell, Rob Nicol, Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning. Brad Nielsen, Brooke Walker (capt), Craig Pryor, Andy McKay, Geoff Shaw, Tim Lythe.

Central Districts: Craig Spearman (capt), Tim Anderson, Bevan Griggs, Brent Hefford, Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Greg Loveridge, Michael Mason, Jesse Ryder, Andrew Schwass, Glen Sulzberger, Greg Todd.

Northern Districts v Otago, Westpac Park, Hamilton. -

Northern Districts (from): James Marshall, Nick Horsley, Hamish Marshall, Michael Parlane, David Kelly, Mark Orchard, Matt Hart, Robbie Hart (captain), Bruce Martin, Joseph Yovich, Gareth West, Gareth Irwin, Ian Butler.

Otago: Craig Cumming (captain), Mohammad Wasim, Andrew Hore, Chris Gaffaney, Marcel McKenzie, Jordan Sheed, Peter McGlashan, Warren McSkimming, Nathan Morland, Shayne OConnor, Kerry Walmsley, David Sewell.

Wellington v Canterbury, Basin Reserve. -

Wellington (from): Matthew Bell (capt), Richard Jones, Neal Parlane, Luke Woodcock, James Franklin, Grant Donaldson, Chris Nevin, Matthew Walker, Jeetan Patel, Andrew Patel, Mark Gillespie, Iain OBrien, Leighton Morgan.

Canterbury: Gary Stead (capt), Neil Broom, Brendon Donkers, Andrew Ellis, Robbie Frew, Peter Fulton, Gareth Hopkins, Chris Martin, Michael Papps, Aaron Redmond, Paul Wiseman, Warren Wisneski.