By TERRY MADDAFORD
Northern Districts will be intent on revenge when they meet Canterbury in their Shell Trophy cricket match at Whangarei's Cobham Oval today.
The Garry MacDonald-coached Canterbury side took first innings points from ND at Rangiora in their first meeting, a 128-run opening partnership between captain Gary Stead and Robbie Frew providing the foundation for their 344-run innings.
They received solid support from Chris Harris - who will not play this time - and others in the lower order. That same resolve also showed through in last week's narrow loss to Wellington - a game MacDonald feels his young, relatively inexperienced side could have won.
"It was encouraging that we scored 370 against Wellington with Gary Stead missing out," said MacDonald.
"The game here should be a good one - provided the weather plays its part - as Northern will be keen to get points."
Canterbury are out of the trophy race, but ND go into the match in third place just four points behind leaders Wellington, who meet second-placed Otago at the Basin Reserve in the key eighth round clash today.
In the only change to the Canterbury side, Shane Bond returns from a hamstring injury in place of Wade Cornelius.
Auckland will have the same 12 players against Central Districts on Eden Park's outer oval.
"These are all must-win games if we are to have any chance," said Auckland coach Tony Sail.
Sail has some reservations about the Eden Park pitches.
"They have been a bit of a mixed bag. If all first-class cricket could be played on wickets like we played on at Carisbrook against Otago, the game would flourish."
In their first meeting, Auckland beat Central by eight wickets at Fitzherbert Park in a low-scoring affair.
Wellington will be looking for more of the same when they face Otago.
Wellington won by seven wickets in Dunedin - despite Matthew Bell's "failure" in scoring 70 and 12 - and have remained the form team since.
Only one match of the 21 played so far has not produced a result. Thirteen have been won outright, and seven on the first innings.
The wet weather in the north might be a dampener this time especially for those teams still in with a chance in the 10-round - no final - competition.
All matches are scheduled for a 10.30 start this morning.
Cricket: ND eager to atone for early season whipping
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