Cricket: Cairns' last turn as underdogs try to shrug Central Districts' bogey

WELLINGTON - Chris Harris has rarely entered a one-day domestic cricket final for Canterbury as an underdog and for good reason.

The veteran enjoyed a stellar run with the province as they won seven titles in the 1990s but besides claiming the inaugural Twenty20 trophy last week, the cupboard has been bare for five seasons.

Tomorrow's State Shield final at QEII Village Green against Central Districts sees the hosts enter as underdogs with the visitors beating them twice this year in round robin play.

The previous final appearance between the two teams saw Central prevail by 99 runs in the 2003-2004 season.

Harris said: "They've had the wood on us recently but that gives us good motivation to try and put the situation right."

Canterbury have the tools to rectify the poor run against Central Districts, having finished the season as top qualifiers and with nine present or former internationals in the side.

Shane Bond, ranked by the International Cricket Council as the world's eighth best one-day bowler, will spearhead the attack and Craig McMillan and Michael Papps have provided plenty of runs.

If Canterbury were the form horse during the 1990s with seven championship victories, Central Districts have been the most consistent side to date this decade. Champions in 2000-2001, they also reached the final last season, bowing out to Northern Districts by 20 runs.

Central Districts coach Graham Barlow said: "It's always highly motivating to play against them and it brings out the best in this lot."

Like they have done for most of the season, Central Districts will rely on consistent bowling from their three seamers- recalled Black Cap Michael Mason, Ewen Thompson and Lance Hamilton.

The side is well balanced in the batting department, with opener and skipper Jamie How in good touch.

Ross Taylor, the competition's leading run scorer, with three centuries and an average of over 60, will look to prove a point to the New Zealand selectors who did not pick him for the squad to face the West Indies this month.

"Ross has put together some well constructed innings this season but he'll just go out there and do his best and I'm sure he'll want to prove to the New Zealand selectors that they should have picked him," Barlow said.

Wet conditions have seen the pitch remain under covers all week, but Harris said he was still expecting a firm, hard deck. The match will also be the last for Chris Cairns in Canterbury colours who bows out from all cricket following the Black Caps' Twenty20 game against West Indies on Thursday.

Barlow said: "He always comes into play. With bat or ball he'll play a major part and he'll obviously love to go out with some silverware and make a contribution."

One-day final: Christchurch, noon tomorrow

Canterbury: Chris Harris (c), Peter Fulton, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Stephen Cunis, Andrew Ellis, Brendon McCullum, Nixon McLean, Craig McMillan, Michael Papps, Shanan Stewart, Paul Wiseman.

Central Districts: Jamie How (c), Geoff Barnett, Brendon Diamanti, Jarrod Englefield, Bevan Griggs, Lance Hamilton, Brent Hefford, Greg Hegglun, Michael Mason, Mathew Sinclair, Ross Taylor, Ewen Thompson.

- NZPA