KEY POINTS:
Scott Styris is relishing being out playing cricket again after a couple of months recuperating from a back injury.
The New Zealand allrounder steps out for his second State Shield game for Auckland against Otago at Queenstown today as part of a side in good spirits after a bright start to the one-day competition in which they lie second after three rounds.
Styris ripped out a rapid 25 not out in the five-wicket win over Canterbury at Eden Park last Saturday, in his first match since playing Pakistan in the Champions Trophy late in October.
He felt good the morning after but he's reserving judgment on the state of his game until he's had a longer innings.
"It felt good while I was out there but I was only in for about 15 minutes," Styris said yesterday. "And it felt pretty good to get out and be part of it again."
New Zealand's team for the last two ODIs against Sri Lanka will be named after today's third contest in Christchurch. Even if Styris made a packet of runs today he's not sure what role he would fill if he was called up.
He's done little bowling because of his injury so would need to play as a specialist batsmen. There are bigger events ahead later in the season so there's no point rushing back before he's fully ready.
Otago have added wicketkeeper-batsman Gareth Hopkins to their squad.
Northern Districts are in a hole, after three straight defeats, and badly need points against Wellington in Taupo today.
The other fourth round game, between Canterbury and Central Districts, starts in Christchurch tomorrow.
STATE SHIELD, FOURTH ROUND
Northern Districts v Wellington
Taupo, noon today
ND: Peter McGlashan (c), Nick Horsley, Alun Evans, Mark Orchard, B.J. Watling, Daniel Flynn, Joseph Yovich, Ian Butler, Mark Jefferson, Daryl Tuffey, Graeme Aldridge, Brent Arnel (one to be omitted).
Wellington: Michael Parlane (c) Matthew Bell, Neal Parlane, Jesse Ryder, Grant Elliott, Luke Woodcock, Chris Nevin, Stu Mills, Michael Burns, Jeetan Patel, Iain O'Brien, Scott Rasmussen, Kevin Ford (two to be omitted).
Otago v Auckland
Queenstown, noon today
Otago: Craig Cumming (c), Shaun Haig, Aaron Redmond, Neil Broom, Greg Todd, Chris Gaffaney, Jordan Sheed, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Warren McSkimming, Matt Harvie, Bradley Scott, Nick Turner (two to be omitted).
Auckland: Richard Jones (c), Paul Hitchcock, Lou Vincent, Scott Styris, Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, David Houpapa, Reece Young, Kyle Mills, Maya Pasupati, Chris Martin, Roneel Hira (one to be omitted).
