Cricket: Chance for Auckland batsmen to step up

Auckland coach Paul Strang. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Auckland's early-season Plunket Shield squad is an interesting mix - experienced hard-headed bowlers sitting alongside a relatively new group of batsmen.

And while there's the old line about needing 20 wickets to win a first-class game, there is much expectation on the batsmen going into their second round game against Otago, starting at Colin Maiden Park today.

They drew their opening match on a flat, frustrating pitch in Christchurch, a bad hour at the start of their first innings proving costly.

There was a century from Anaru Kitchen - his fifth in 16 first-class games - but others such as Jeet Raval, Andrew de Boorder, Otago import Greg Todd and Colin de Grandhomme have points to prove.

"I'm excited about the talent, but in many ways it's unproven," Auckland coach Paul Strang said yesterday.

"This is a real opportunity for these guys to step up and show they're worthy of the contracts they've been given."

A bowling attack comprising captain Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey, last summer's top bowler, Michael Bates, and allrounder Andre Adams should ensure a new ball cutting edge, while the work of offspinner Bhupinder Singh has impressed Strang.

Otago arrive buoyed by a strong second half of their opening game against defending champions Northern Districts in Queenstown.

Brothers Neil and Darren Broom put on 252 for the fifth wicket in the second innings to get their side out of a sizeable jam; lively left armer Neil Wagner produced his best first-class figures and they'll feel in good shape.

South African-born Wagner, eligible for New Zealand after next year's World Cup, is one of several Otago players, such as Aaron Redmond, Broom and Ian Butler, who will not lack incentives to nudge the selectors in the pre-Christmas round of four-day and T20 games.

Northern Districts have made one change to their 12 to face Wellington. Spinner Jason Donnelly replaces Jono Boult, who has a shoulder injury.

In the other game, Central Districts, the only outright first round winners, host Canterbury in Napier, with Kieran Noema-Barnett returning to the side in place of George Worker.

Canterbury are without key batsman Shanan Stewart, who has a groin injury. Points after one round: CD 8, Canterbury and ND 2, Otago, Auckland, Wellington 0.

PLUNKET SHIELD, ROUND 2, ALL 10 30AM TODAY

Auckland v Otago, Colin Maiden Park

Auckland: (from) Kyle Mills (c), Jeet Raval, Brad Cachopa, Anaru Kitchen, Greg Todd, Andrew de Boorder, Colin de Grandhomme, Andre Adams, Colin Munro, Daryl Tuffey, Bhupinder Singh, Michael Bates, Gareth Shaw.
Otago: (from) Craig Cumming (c), Aaron Redmond, Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Darren Broom, Sam Wells, Derek de Boorder, Nathan McCullum, Ian Butler, Nick Beard, James McMillan, Neil Wagner.

Central Districts v Canterbury, Napier

CD: Jamie How (c), Peter Ingram, Brad Patton, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Weston, Kruger van Wyk, Doug Bracewell, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ben Wheeler, Michael Mason, Mitchell McClenaghan, Tarun Nethula.
Canterbury: (possible team) Peter Fulton (c), Rob Nicol, Michael Papps, Dean Brownlie, Reece Young, Andrew Ellis, Todd Astle, Brandon Hiini, Logan van Beek, Ryan McCone, Richard Sherlock.

Wellington v Northern Districts, Wellington

Wellington: (from) Grant Elliott (c), Josh Brodie, Matthew Bell, Cam Merchant, Neil Parlane, Stewart Rhodes, Luke Woodcock, Harry Boam, Joe Austin-Smellie, Andrew Lamb, Tipene Friday, Lee Edwards, Mark Houghton.
ND: (from) James Marshall (c), Daniel Flynn, Brad Wilson, Michael Parlane, Anton Devcich, Scott Styris, Joseph Yovich, Owen Ivins, Bradley Scott, Trent Boult, Jason Donnelly, Graeme Aldridge.