Cricket: Nash comes back to bat in big game

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Dion Nash is back in the Auckland cricket team for today's crucial top-of-the-table Shell Cup clash with Canterbury at Eden Park but will not bowl for the Aces.

Nash is the last of the Blacks Caps to appear in cup play this season and has come in to strengthen the middle of the Auckland batting order at the expense of Richard King, who joins Mark Haslam on the sideline for the 10th-round battle on the outer oval.

While Auckland coach Tony Sail can welcome back one international star, he is still without another.

Adam Parore, who missed Sunday's win over Otago - on the same pitch on which today's game will be played - is not over the thigh injury sustained in last Friday's win against Central Districts in Napier but Sail remains hopeful he will return soon.

"We would like to think we can beat Canterbury and go straight into the final, which would give the players a few days to rest up," said Sail, "but if we don't and we have to play the semifinal, I'm hopeful Adam will be okay for the game on Friday."

In Parore's absence, Reece Young will again don the wicketkeeping gloves, allowing Lou Vincent to play as a batsman only.

Canterbury have 15 points and Auckland 14, and the winner of their match will book their place in the finals, which will be played over the best of three for the first time. The top qualifier will play the first match away on February 4 but the second and, should it be required, third will be at home on February 6 and 8 respectively.

For today's game, Canterbury have the same 12 players who beat Northern Districts in Christchurch on Sunday. Medium-pace bowler Ryan Burson was 12th man in that game.

There will be an element of "calculator cricket" in today's other two games.

Northern Districts, who play Central Districts at Palmerston North's Fitzherbert Park, and Wellington, who meet Otago at the Basin Reserve, both have eight points from four wins and five losses.

On net run rate, Northern, at plus 0.224, are comfortably ahead of Wellington, who have a minus 0.176 differential.

Northern have made no changes from the 12 they took to Christchurch although Grant Bradburn - 12th man in that game - could return.

Central have brought Marlborough seam bowler Brent Hefford into their squad for the first time. They have lost Michael Mason to injury but Emmett Craik, who missed the last game, has returned to the 13-strong squad.

"The whole cup competition has been disappointing for us," said CD captain Craig Spearman yesterday.

"The game against ND is important as there are still Shell Trophy spots up for grabs."

The Fitzherbert Park pitch, coupled with a quick outfield, promises a run-feast in a game ND are determined to win.

Wellington seem likely to be at full strength although last night they were still awaiting the outcome of the code of conduct commissioner's report into the incident involving captain Chris Nevin and Richard Petrie during their win over CD on Sunday.