Cricket: Rampant Central tough opponents

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Auckland's hopes of retaining their joint lead in the domestic championship will depend on their ability to hold off a rampant Central Districts side in Palmerston North today.

Fresh from a deserved victory over Northern Districts, Central's three-pronged pace attack of Lance Hamilton, Andrew Schwass and Michael Mason will test the classy Auckland batting, which has been boosted by the return of internationals Lou Vincent and Andre Adams.

Brent Hefford seems likely to again be Central's 12th man.

Auckland and Wellington go into the eighth round of the State Championship on 27 points, with Auckland well ahead on run-rate.

Central, the only other team with realistic title hopes, are three points back.

After three wins on the road - two in the South Island and one in Hamilton - Central are in familiar territory at Fitzherbert Park.

They will test an Auckland side who must shrug off the Parore affair and get big runs from the top of the order, where test hopes Mark Richardson and Matt Horne will be keen to press their claims.

In today's other match, Wellington are at home to Northern Districts, where one of the biggest questions centres on the pitch block which hosts this game and later the second England test.

Wellington have New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming back to bolster their top order which, for the first time in three matches, will have first-choice openers Matthew Bell and Richard Jones in action.

Chris Nevin returns to don the wicketkeeping gloves.

Northern have fallen away in recent outings and will look to returning internationals Daryl Tuffey and Ian Butler to bolster their attack. Tuffey and Butler come in for Simon Doull and Simon Andrews.

With Joseph Yovich also on hand - although his wicket-taking deeds have at times been overshadowed by some wayward bowling - Northern have an attack capable of troubling Wellington.

Unless Northern, on 14 points, win outright they can wave their faint hopes goodbye.

Central Districts v Auckland, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North. -

Central Districts: David Kelly, Peter Ingram, Mathew Sinclair, Ben Smith, Glen Sulzberger, Jacob Oram (capt), Bevin Griggs, Campbell Furlong, Andrew Schwass, Michael Mason, Lance Hamilton, Brent Hefford.

Auckland: Mark Richardson, Matt Horne, Tim McIntosh, Llorne Howell, Rob Nicol, Lou Vincent, Reece Young, Andre Adams, Brooke Walker (capt), Chris Drum, Gareth Shaw, Sam Whiteman.

Wellington v Northern Districts, Basin Reserve, Wellington. -

Wellington (from): Matthew Bell (capt), Richard Jones, Stephen Fleming, Luke Woodcock, James Franklin, Chris Nevin, Grant Donaldson, Sam Fairley, Matthew Walker, Mark Jefferson, Mark Gillespie, Andrew Penn, Jeetan Patel.

Northern Districts: James Marshall, Matt Hart, Joseph Yovich, Michael Parlane, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Grant Bradburn, Robbie Hart (capt), Bruce Martin, Graeme Aldridge, Daryl Tuffey, Ian Butler.