Cricket: Parlane in line for Auckland debut

Neal Parlane. Photo / Northern Advocate

Former Wellington batsman Neal Parlane could make his Auckland debut when the Aces kick off the Plunket Shield season against Northern Districts in Whangarei on Monday.

Parlane missed out on a contract with Wellington this year and has taken up a player/coach role with East Coast Bays. He showed good form on the Aces' pre-season trip to Napier and has a wealth of domestic cricket experience having played 94 first-class games.

His inclusion means the Aces could field a hugely experienced batting line-up with Parlane, Tim McIntosh and Gareth Hopkins boasting 332 first class matches between them.

Coach Paul Strang is hoping that experience will help the Aces get off to a good start next week.

"It's probably one of the most experienced teams we've put out in a couple of years, so I'm expecting that to count for something when the going gets tough.''

Strang isn't sure quite what to expect out of the Cobham Oval pitch, despite having picked former Northern player Bruce Martin's brains on the subject.

"To be honest we could get anything. We've picked a squad for all seasons and will have a look at the wicket and go from there but traditionally at this time of year it will probably nip around for a couple of hours and then flatten out. The new ball will obviously be crucial.''

Auckland will face pace bowler Tim Southee in that match after the New Zealand bowler was cleared by doctors to play for ND. Southee missed the Black Caps' current tour of Zimbabwe with a knee injury but is hopeful of proving his fitness in time ahead of next month's two-test series against Australia.