Cricket: Four chase three spots in semis

By Terry Maddaford

Calculators have become a necessary extra at cricket grounds around the country as teams chase places in the Shell Cup semifinals and the home advantage.

Defending champions Northern Districts are assured of a place in the top four. A point from either of their two remaining games would give them both the home advantage and second life, if needed, in the playoffs.

But for Central Districts, Canterbury, Wellington and Auckland these are tense times.

All have eight points from four wins and four losses and may well have to look at net run rates to make the top four.

Going into last night's game against Otago, Central Districts were best-placed with a healthy +0.542 run rate. Canterbury, who play Auckland today are at +0.194, but Wellington (-0.157), who meet Northern Districts (+0.249), and Auckland (-0.207) have some ground to make up.

Otago (-0.597) are almost certainly out of the equation with just four points.

Auckland are back on Eden Park No 1 today, but on a different strip from the one used for the one-day international and Wednesday's loss to Otago. They will need a much-improved showing if they are to topple Canterbury for a second time this season after their seven-wicket win in Christchurch with three overs to spare.

Canterbury have Chris Harris back in place of Craig Cumming, while Auckland have included Bryan Young at the expense of Richard Jones.

Northern Districts have named an unchanged team to play Wellington at WestpacTrust Park today but can include Daniel Vettori for Monday's Eden Park clash with Auckland. Much will depend on today's result before any changes are contemplayed.

Wellington have included internationals Roger Twose (back as captain) and Gavin Larsen as they seek to repeat their earlier win over ND. In a low-scoring match at the Basin Reserve, Wellington beat the Cup-holders by four wickets with six-and-a-half overs to spare.

Auckland: Bryan Young, Aaron Barnes, Ian Billcliff, Blair Pocock (captain), Stephen Lynch, Lou Vincent, Craig Pryor, Kyle Mills, Jason Mills, Brooke Walker, Mark Haslam, Chris Drum.

Canterbury: Gary Stead (captain), Llorne Howell, Brad Doody, Chris Harris, Scott Pawson, Hamish Barton, Gareth Hopkins, Stephen Cunis, Mark Priest, Warren Wisneski, Shane Bond, Chris Martin.

Northern Districts: Michael Parlane, Neal Parlane, Hamish Marshall, Mark Bailey, Scott Styris, Grant Bradburn, Matt Hart, Robbie Hart (captain), Alex Tait, Darryl Tuffey, Joseph Yovich, Graeme Aldridge.

Wellington: Roger Twose (captain), Chris Nevin, Matthew Bell, Jason Wells, Phil Chandler, Richard Petrie, Gavin Larsen, Mark Jefferson, Mayu Pasupati, Heath Davis, Carl Bulfin, Glen White.