Cricket: Auckland's challenge: We're the team to beat

Mention Auckland's record in last season's domestic one-day championship and expect a "move on" reply from coach Mark O'Donnell.

No surprise in that, given their one win-nine loss record.

Talk about the four-day State Championship and he perks up. But he is not too keen to discuss defending the title they won so convincingly last summer.

"Defence is not something we talk too much about," said O'Donnell.

"We are challenging for the 2005-06 State Championship.

"If you talk about defending something you put yourself on the back foot."

Under new captain Richard Jones - for the retired Brooke Walker - Auckland have a familiar look with only Walker, Aaron Barnes (also retired) and Geoff Shaw (to Otago) missing.

They have done well in the pick-up stakes with Scott Styris moving north, Chris Martin switching from Canterbury, Tim McIntosh moving back to Auckland (from Canterbury) and North Shore opening batsman Gene Andrews being promoted.

"We have covered most areas pretty well," said O'Donnell. "Tim Lythe will carry much of the spin bowling workload without Brooke Walker. We also have some back-up off-spin from Rob Nicol."

In an interesting move, former test batsman Mark Richardson, who began his playing days as a left-arm spinner, has taken a cricket ambassador role and has been sighted turning his arm over at the nets to add some variety for the batsmen.

McIntosh is an interesting prospect. After flourishing in his early days in Auckland, and touted as a likely New Zealand opener at times, he had a season to forget in the south. From 10 innings he managed just 49 runs.

"I certainly have no concerns," said O'Donnell. "When we were down at the academy he had scores of 130 retired, 92 retired and 50."

McIntosh, Jones, Matt Horne and Lou Vincent (when available) would vie for the opening spots.

Asked who he saw as the team to beat when the championship season starts on Monday, O'Donnell did not hesitate.

"Us. And I'm not being arrogant. We have a team with a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience."

Canterbury begin their campaign at the Village Green in Christchurch against Wellington.

It will be an interesting experience for new coach, South African Dave Nosworthy, who has been in the country for 10 weeks and admits he knew little about the squad he inherited.

Having eight Black Caps in the squad brings both positives and negatives.

Canterbury, to be led by Chris Harris, have lost Martin, McIntosh, Neil Broom (to Otago) and Hayden Shaw.

In come top order batsman Todd Astle (no relation to Nathan Astle), Carl Anderson, Iain Robertson and West Indian quick Nixon McLean who arrives tomorrow and will play on Monday.

Northern Districts have their traditional opener in Gisborne, meeting Otago who have a new coach in Mike Hesson.

ND will be without injured pace bowling duo Ian Butler (almost certainly out for the season) and Daryl Tuffey with Daniel Vettori and the Marshall twins Hamish and James on ODI duty at Eden Park.

In Vettori's absence, Peter McGlashan will lead the Knights.