Cricket: ND batting big concern as they face up to Canterbury

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Thumped by Central Districts inside three days, Northern Districts face a battle to turn things round when they meet Canterbury in Gisborne starting on Monday.

Canterbury go into the third round of the State Championship as leaders and even without internationals Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan, will pose a formidable challenge.

Pace bowlers Chris Martin and Shane Bond, fresh from good showings in the Perth test, will bolster the Canterbury attack, which was good enough to dismiss Otago twice as they also won their second-round game with more than a day to spare.

Northern will have Darryl Tuffey back from international duty, but will be without Daniel Vettori, who is being given time to continue his rehabilitation after early season injury.

Tuffey has been added to the squad which played in Blenheim. He is likely to be joined in the Northern attack at the Harry Barker Reserve by former test bowler Simon Doull, who has been 12th man in the first two rounds.

It is the Northern batting which is causing most concern. Against Central, Scott Styris top-scored with 39 as they were bundled out for 167 and 100 en route to a 78-run loss.

Only once in four innings have the Northern openers managed a partnership of more than 17. Canterbury, on the other hand, have scored solidly in all four innings and should find the Gisborne pitch to their liking.

In the other game, Wellington, frustrated in the game against Auckland by fickle weather which ruled out play on all but the first day, are back at the Basin Reserve to play Central.

Matthew Bell will be back to open the batting for Wellington, while Central will have Mathew Sinclair and Glen Sulzberger on hand as they chase a second successive victory.

Northern Districts v Canterbury, Gisborne.

Northern Districts (from): James Marshall, Matthew Hart, Mark Bailey, Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, Grant Bradburn, Joseph Yovich, Robbie Hart, Graeme Aldridge, Simon Doull, Bruce Martin, Darryl Tuffey, Ian Butler.

Canterbury (from): Gary Stead, Jarrod Englefield, Michael Papps, Aaron Redmond, Chris Harris, Gareth Hopkins, Wade Cornelius, Paul Wiseman, Warren Wisneski, Shane Bond, Chris Martin, Shannon Stewart, Robbie Frew.

Wellington v Central Districts, Basin Reserve.

Wellington (from): Matthew Bell, Richard Jones, Phil Chandler, Selwyn Blackmore, Grant Donaldson, Rhys Morgan, Chris Nevin, James Franklin, Matthew Walker, Andrew Penn, Jeetan Patel, Ash Turner, Mark Jefferson.

Central Districts (from): David Kelly, Richard Scragg, Mathew Sinclair, Campbell Furlong, Ben Smith, Jamie How, Glen Sulzberger, Bevan Griggs, Andrew Schwass, Brent Hefford, Lance Hamilton, Michael Mason.