Cricket: Batsmen back to basics

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The search for runs by New Zealand's top-order batsmen goes back to the grassroots today.

Stephen Fleming, Chris Cairns, Mathew Sinclair, Lou Vincent, Craig McMillan, Scott Styris and Chris Harris will get their chance for time in the middle in sixth-round State Shield action.

But almost half of the World Cup squad will be sitting out today's round.

Kyle Mills and Andre Adams will miss Auckland's game against Wellington on a Basin Reserve pitch likely to favour the batsmen.

Vincent is the only international in the Auckland side. They will need runs from Mark Richardson, Llorne Howell, Matt Horne, Vincent and Tim McIntosh to have a chance.

Wellington pose a real threat. Bolstered by the inclusion of Stephen Fleming, their top order has an ominous look, with Matthew Bell, Richard Jones, Chris Nevin and Neal Parlane all capable of big scores.

Wellington medium pace bowler Paul Hitchcock has a further chance to impress.

Daryl Tuffey will by-pass the day-nighter against Central Districts at Westpac Park in Hamilton, but is expected to rejoin Northern Districts for Sunday's game against Otago at Carisbrook.

Internationals Styris and Daniel Vettori will play for Northern, with Vettori in particular looking for a greater share of the action after bowling just six overs in Tuesday's one-day international.

Northern, a point back from co-leaders Otago and Wellington, would like points to add spice to Sunday's clash.

Central will be back almost to full strength. Only Jacob Oram is missing.

Jesse Ryder, Sinclair, Glen Sulzberger and Jamie How back Craig Spearman at the top of the order, giving Central the promise of runs aplenty. Canterbury, away to Otago in Invercargill, have a strong line-up, including Cairns, McMillan and Harris. They can also look to in-form Michael Papps for runs.

Otago are without Jeff Wilson (injured) and Brendan McCullum, busy strengthening his injured knee. They have called up Chris Gaffaney.

Former internationals Shayne O'Connor and Kerry Walmsley are spearheading the Otago attack, and the Canterbury batsmen will be asked a few questions.

Points: Otago, Wellington 14, Northern 13, Auckland, Central 11, Canterbury 5.

Northern Districts v Central Districts, Westpac Park, Hamilton, 2pm start -

Northern: Graeme Aldridge, Ian Butler, Robbie Hart (capt), Matt Hart, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Mark Orchard, Michael Parlane, Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori, Gareth West, Joseph Yovich.

Central: Craig Spearman (captain), Jesse Ryder, Mathew Sinclair, Glen Sulzberger, Ian Sandbrook, Jamie How, Bevan Griggs, Campbell Furlong, Andrew Schwass, Michael Mason, Brent Hefford, Lance Hamilton.

Wellington v Auckland, Basin Reserve, noon -

Wellington: Matthew Bell (capt), Richard Jones, Chris Nevin, Neal Parlane, Stephen Fleming, Grant Donaldson, Mark Jefferson, Mark Gillespie, Matthew Walker, James Franklin, Mayu Pasupati, Ash Turner, Paul Hitchcock (two to be omitted).

Auckland: Brooke Walker (capt), Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Heath Davis, Matt Horne, Llorne Howell, Tim McIntosh, Rob Nicol, Craig Pryor, Mark Richardson, Gareth Shaw, Lou Vincent.

Otago v Canterbury, Queens Park, Invercargill, noon -

Otago: Mahammad Wasim, Robbie Lawson, Craig Cumming (captain), Chris Gaffaney, Marcel McKenzie, Peter McGlashan, Jordan Sheed, Warren McSkimming, Nathan Morland, Kerry Walmsley, Shayne O'Connor, James McMillan.

Canterbury:Gary Stead (capt), Carl Anderson, Chris Cairns, Stephen Cunis, Peter Fulton, Chris Harris, Chris Martin, Craig McMillan, Michael Papps, Hayden Shaw, Shannan Stewart, Paul Wiseman.