Cricket: Nash back, but not setting sights too high

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Dion Nash is back in the Auckland cricket team, but he will not be pressing for a spot in the New Zealand side for the second test against Bangladesh starting on Boxing Day at the Basin Reserve.

Auckland coach Tony Sail confirmed Nash's recall yesterday. He said it was an Auckland decision, with no pressure from the national selectors.

"He has come in for Lou Vincent and I expect him to bowl with the new ball," said Sail, who takes the Auckland team to Dunedin for tomorrow's remaining third-round State Championship match against Otago at Carisbrook.

"Dion wanted to play against Bangladesh, but I took advice from the New Zealand medical people and kept him back a bit longer.

"He has looked good, batting and bowling, in the nets and I'm confident he will do a job for us."

Who Nash shares the new ball with could depend on whether Auckland bat or bowl first.

Chris Drum is in Hamilton with the New Zealand squad and, if he is not required for the test, will be released an hour or so before the midday start.

He will then fly to Dunedin, but Sail said it could be 5 pm before he is ready to play.

"It is not an ideal situation, but we understand what they are doing," Sail said.

Mark Haslam, the 12th man for Auckland against Bangladesh, is unavailable for personal reasons.

To cover for Drum's late arrival, Auckland will take 12 players south today, with Tim McIntosh back after surrendering his place at the top of the order to Mark Richardson for the Bangladesh game.

Llorne Howell and Rob Nicol will join the more established squad, but Nicol is likely to return to Auckland tomorrow night in time to join the Auckland under-19 team for their game against Northern Districts in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Auckland can go to the top of the table with outright points in Dunedin.

Otago coach Glenn Turner has named the same 12 players who lost to Canterbury by four wickets in their last game.

"We are still struggling a little at the top of the batting order," Turner said. "Losing Matt Horne and Mark Richardson has not helped, particularly in the four-day games."

Auckland (from): Tim McIntosh, Matt Horne, Nick Horsley, Aaron Barnes, Kyle Mills, Dion Nash, Brooke Walker (captain), Reece Young, Andre Adams, Tama Canning, Chris Drum, Rob Nicol, Llorne Howell.

Otago (from): Robbie Lawson, Brendon McCullum, Craig Cumming, Chris Gaffaney, Andrew Hore, Lee Germon (captain), Martyn Croy, Craig Pryor, Rob Smith, Kerry Walmsley, David Sewell, Evan Marshall.