England pace bowler James Anderson. Photo / Greg Bowker
Cricket Wellington chief executive Gavin Larsen has criticised Auckland's signing of English bowler James Anderson for the remainder of the State Championship domestic competition.
English test discard Anderson, a substitute fielder during the first day of the test against New Zealand in Hamilton yesterday, was released to bolster
competition leaders Auckland's depleted bowling stocks.
The deal sees the 20-test right-arm seam bowler available for the four remaining rounds of the competition and possibly the final, starting with today's match against Wellington in Auckland.
It is a move that has concerned New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and Larsen also attacked the hastily-arranged deal, saying the major associations were "collectively staggered" by it.
"We can't get our heads around this," Larsen told The Dominion Post newspaper.
"It really hits me in the pit of my stomach.
"To paint the worst case scenario, James Anderson takes seven for 30 against our boys, Auckland have bowled him into form and before you know it he's opening for England next Thursday (second test) here at the Basin Reserve."
Former New Zealand bowler Larsen said NZC should have taken a stronger stance and blocked Anderson's selection.
NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan admitted that he "wasn't thrilled" about giving England a leg-up but Auckland were "within their rights" to do it.
"It's a creative approach to the rules," said Vaughan, adding that NZC were looking at arranging something similar for the Black Caps' return tour of England starting next month, in which the likes of a Tim Southee could turn out for a county second 11.
Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell defended Anderson's inclusion, saying it was no different from other provinces playing overseas professionals.
However, Larsen said Northern District's signing of England opener Andrew Strauss and Wellington's deal with pace bowler Charlie Shreck were completely different.
"There was months and months of preparations put into those particular securements," he said.
"It's also about development and coaching and linking them to commercial partners.
"One day out from a test match, when James Anderson's in Hamilton and has prepared with the England squad, it just sticks in the throat that, it really does."
Auckland have lost Kyle Mills and Chris Martin to the test in Hamilton, Andre Adams and Daryl Tuffey left for the rebel Twenty20 Indian Cricket League last week, and Lance Shaw is unavailable with an arm injury.
- NZPA
