Cricket: Dismal start by Aucklanders

By Chris Rattue

The Auckland cricket squad are guaranteed their places for the first four rounds of the Shell Cup, despite a dismal showing against Wellington in the opening match on Eden Park's outer oval.

Memories of last season's pathetic performance, when Auckland finished last in the Cup and Trophy, were revived as a new-look side surrendered by 111 runs yesterday.

They showed precisely the form which brought them one Cup win out of 10 matches last season.

New coach David Trist was "hugely disappointed" and the Auckland association's number-crunchers are worried.

They wanted a crowd of 3000 but only 1000 turned up, and chief executive Lindsay Crocker said the city needed a winning side to restore interest.

Trist said the players had been told their places were safe for the first four rounds to help to build confidence.

"That means there is no undue pressure," he said. "The trouble is Auckland have become used to losing. They've got to find that winning feeling again.

"I have put probably more into this job than I ever have and the captain, Blair Pocock, has thrown himself at his job.

"The first thing you've got to do is win at home. Hopefully, we will look back at this as just a hiccup."

There are doubts, though, whether Auckland have the class to challenge for titles.

Auckland put Wellington into bat, hoping the cloud cover might assist their swing bowlers, but legspinner Brooke Walker proved the only bright spot.

Walker, one of five players making their one-day debut for the province, was the sixth bowler called on, even behind part-timer Pocock. Walker chose not to give the ball too much flight and finished with four wickets, and a brilliant direct-
hit run out of Richard Petrie.

Wellington's openers, Phil Chandler and Chris Nevin, had early luck as the ball beat the bat, but their century partnership set the tone for a day in which Wellington were never troubled as they piled on 273 for eight, with Auckland scoring 162 in reply.

Wellington's new acquisition, Robert Kennedy, provided the pivotal moment in the first over of the Auckland innings. Wicketkeeper Nevin took a superb, diving catch to remove Pocock, then his fellow former international Bryan Young was trapped by the first ball he received.

It was a miserable Auckland debut for Young, apart from one superlative stop in the covers. He had just begun running for the injured Aaron Barnes when he ran out Auckland's top-scorer after taking on Petrie at third man.

Barnes is in doubt for tomorrow's match against Central Districts at Eden Park because of a hamstring injury.