Cricket: Hart hopes runs will flow in final

By TERRY MADDAFORD

After a season of too many low scores, Northern Districts captain Robbie Hart can't wait to lead his team out on to Northern Harbour's outer oval at Albany for tomorrow's State Shield final against Auckland.

"We are all looking forward to the game," Hart said. "My real hope is that we will be playing on a good deck and both teams can post big scores."

Reminded that the last match at the ground produced more than 500 runs for the loss of just 11 wickets, Hart took some heart.

"We had a good surface in Timaru and a lot of runs were scored," Hart said. "That's what we as players and the public look for in a game like this."

In that game Northern scored 267 for six, but lost to Canterbury who managed 268 for eight.

"Overall, though, this season has been disappointing, with too many wickets being in favour of the bowlers," Hart said.

Northern have done well in key games, including Wednesday's semifinal at the Basin Reserve.



Although keen to bat first, Northern lost the toss and Wellington were handed that opportunity.

"Sure, we had a game plan, but we quickly adjusted and went out determined to deny them runs at the top of their order. Getting wickets is always the key. You don't want teams building big partnerships.

"We have generally been able to chip a couple out to put teams under pressure."



Although Northern have been a little disrupted because their international players have been in and out of the side, Hart is pleased with the way his team have responded.

"Ian Butler is getting his timing and rhythm right and is bowling with real pace.

"Bruce Martin has made the most of his opportunities to show he is a player of real class.

"I'm sure he would love to be on the park for every game but he, like the others, accept that circumstances mean that is not always possible.

"The guys who have had to sit out when the Black Caps have been playing have come in hungry."



Hart is not too concerned at the number of extras - and in particular, wides - that Northern have given away this season.

"That is schoolboy stuff, something we don't talk too much about."

Hart is one of only three players - the others being older brother Matt and Michael Parlane - who played in Northern's last one-day championship victory, in 1997-98.

That game, a 55-run win over Canterbury, is best remembered for the stunning bowling of Alex Tait, who took four wickets in one over as Canterbury plunged from 117 for five to 117 for nine, chasing 189.

Tait's effort was a first in the competition.

"[Coach] Bruce Blair has worked very hard with the batsmen and bowlers," says Hart.

"He is very focused and has done a really good job for us."

He says it is good to have coaches of the ilk of Blair and Mark O'Donnell coming into the game.

Like the rest of the players who will contest tomorrow's final, Hart is aware that there is plenty at stake, including the possibility of a call-up to the New Zealand team at the World Cup in southern Africa should that need arise.

"This game is the chance for 22 players to put their hands up.

"It should be a good game. Auckland are well led by Brooke Walker. He has a good team behind him. It should be close."

Northern Districts team:(from): Robbie Hart (capt), James Marshall, Nick Horsley, Hamish Marshall, Michael Parlane, David Kelly, Matt Hart, Joseph Yovich, Mark Orchard, Bruce Martin, Gareth West, Graeme Aldridge, Ian Butler.


Venue: North Harbour Stadium.


Start: 10am.


Umpires: Doug Cowie (Auckland) and Tony Hill (Counties)


Third umpire: Evan Watkin (Wellington)


TV: Live on Sky Sport, from 9.45am.