Cricket: Indians spice up the action

First-class cricket resumes with an Indian flavour today.

Leaders Central Districts play Canterbury at Rangiora, with legspinner Amit Mishra in their ranks, while batting great Rahul Dravid will play for Canterbury.

Otago, who will include another of the world's best-known batsmen, VVS Laxman, host Wellington, who have medium-pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji, in Dunedin.

Northern Districts play Auckland in Whangarei in the other fifth-round match, neither side having an Indian player as each team has players with links to the privately run Indian Cricket League.

CD have 25 points in the State Championship, Wellington 18, Auckland 11, Otago 4, ND 2 and Canterbury 0.