By Terry Maddaford
The calculators could be whirring some time on Monday in Alexandra, Wellington and Hamilton in the battle to find the Shell Trophy finalists.
Central Districts (15 points) and Otago (14) have the inside running in the final round-robin matches starting this morning. Their clash in Alexandra will almost certainly
find at least one finalist.
Nearest challenger Northern Districts (13) meet bottom-placed Canterbury (4) at WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton. Outright victory to Northern would ensure them a place in the final and could - if Otago and CD produce only a first innings result - earn them a home final.
Auckland and Wellington, both on nine points, meet at the Petone Recreation Ground with the winner (outright) having only a longshot chance of reaching the final.
If two teams finish level in either first or second place, the team with the most outright wins would have the advantage. If that does not find a winner then a countback of runs and wickets will be needed to separate the teams.
Northern go into the game against Canterbury without Michael Parlane.
He has been a regular since he debut in 1992-93 but has struggled this season, hampered by an ankle injury. His brother Neal is missing too - also struggling with injury.
Mark Bailey and Scott Styris return after their stint with New Zealand A.
New Zealand Cricket has ruled Stephen Fleming out of the Canterbury team. Hamish Barton takes his place and Michael Papps and Marcel McKenzie have held their places.
Brooke Walker and Chris Drum return to the Auckland team after the A game against South Africa. Opener Tim McIntosh has held his place with Bryan Young on test duty.
Veteran John Aiken returns to the Wellington Xl for the first time this season.
James Franklin will bat in their middle order and Leigh Kelly has held his place in the bowling attack. There is no room for Heath Davis or Tim Boyer.
There will be plenty of interest in the Otago side. Nathan McCullum, 18-year-old son of selector Stu McCullum, has been included. The off-spinner and middle-lower-order batsman will make his debut, as will another youngster, Chris Davies.
