KEY POINTS:
Expect batsmen to be licking their lips and bowlers looking grumpy when Auckland tackle Wellington in their second round championships match in Christchurch starting today.
The pitch at Queen Elizabeth II Park holds the promise of plenty of runs, according to Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell, and he's got
no problems with that.
The way to prepare players for the next level is have them playing on decent pitches and make the bowlers work for their success rather than use strips where they only have to fling the ball in roughly the right place to get more deviation than Saturday night on Karangahape Rd.
Three of his batsmen, opener Tim McIntosh, Rob Nicol and allrounder Andre Adams, cashed in against Otago at Lincoln last week, belting 205, 160 and a furious 117 not out, respectively.
Test batsman Lou Vincent, however, missed out with a duck as Auckland rattled on 627 for six declared. With Sri Lanka in the country, and two tests around the corner, Vincent needs runs smartly.
The pitch proved the winner in the end, as Otago rallied from 37 for four with a couple of century-makers of their own in Neil Broom and Gareth Hopkins.
Auckland have named 13, with Paul Hitchcock and Gareth Haine bracketed. Adams is awaiting the birth of a child and a late rejigging might be required.
Wellington have kept the same 12 who lost to Central Districts by three wickets in the capital last week.
Northern Districts have made two changes for their game against Central at Lincoln.
Injury-plagued fast bowler Daryl Tuffey is out after picking up an Achilles strain in Canterbury's second innings of their opening round game in Rangiora last week.
Tuffey, who played the last of his 76 ODIs for New Zealand against Australia in February last year, began encouragingly with three for 61 off 24 overs - all three in the Canterbury top six and two of them current internationals Peter Fulton and Nathan Astle.
The other change is BJ Watling, who hit 93 opening the innings against Canterbury. He has damaged an index finger. Brad Wilson and Bruce Martin take their places.
After losing outright to Canterbury, Northern can't afford a second consecutive defeat as they look to a better result than last season's bottom place finish in the championship.
Defending champions Central started smartly against Wellington at the Basin Reserve.
They got the win through a strong allround bowling effort and fine batting from Greg Hay in the first innings and Geoff Barnett in the second.
They welcome back New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram, and tall spinner Robbie Schaw will make his first-class debut. Canterbury and Otago have the week off.
TEAMS
Auckland v Wellington, QEII Park, Christchurch
Auckland (from): Richard Jones (c), Tim McIntosh, Mal Loye, Rob Nicol, Lou Vincent, Tama Canning, Reece Young, Martin Guptill, Andre Adams, Lance Shaw, Roneel Hira, Chris Martin, Paul Hitchcock or Gareth Haine.
Wellington: Michael Parlane (c), Matthew Bell, Stephen Fleming, Neal Parlane, James Franklin, Jesse Ryder, Grant Elliott, Chris Nevin, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel, Luke Woodcock, Iain O'Brien.
Northern Districts v Central Districts, Lincoln
Northern: Daniel Vettori (c), Alun Evans, James Marshall, Hamish Marshall, Peter McGlashan, Daniel Flynn, Mark Orchard, Joseph Yovich, Brad Wilson, Brent Arnel, Graeme Aldridge, Bruce Martin.
Central: Jamie How (c), Geoff Barnett, Greg Hay, Mathew Sinclair, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Bevan Griggs, Lance Hamilton, Brent Hefford, Michael Mason, Robbie Schaw, Ewen Thompson.
