Cricket: Aces rely on traditional bowling as trump

Auckland hope an emphasis on the ball will give them a match-winning edge in this evening's Shell Super Max League final against Wellington.

Aces coach Tony Sail believes the old adage about bowlers winning cricket matches carries even more weight in the slog-fest that is Max, and suggests tonight's showpiece on Eden Park's Outer Oval will provide more evidence along those lines.

"There's a tendency to think that the game has been designed for the batsmen," Sail said yesterday. "But the old principles still hold true, in that the bowlers have far more potential to influence the outcome than the batsmen.

"With that in mind we've attempted to play normal, proper cricket throughout the championship - we haven't tried to pick a specialist Max side - and the players have been rewarded for playing a fairly basic, but very effective style."

Unbeaten after five rounds, Auckland are keen to start the season with a trophy-winning performance, particularly after finishing mid-table in both the Shell Cup and Shell Trophy competitions last summer.

"We haven't won anything for a while so a win would be well-received," said Sail. "But the key for us is to build on last season's performance, and in a way I think we've already started."

The Firebirds have named a side containing four past or present New Zealand one-day international players (Roger Twose, Richard Petrie, Robert Kennedy and Carl Bulfin) for the final, with more experience provided by the likes of skipper Chris Nevin, batsmen Matthew Walker and Tim Boyer.

The final will start at 4.30 pm.

Auckland: Blair Pocock (capt), Llorne Howell, Aaron Barnes, Lou Vincent, Craig Pryor, Andre Adams, Tane Topia, Kyle Mills, Stephen Lynch, Richard Morgan, Kerry Walmsley, Heath Davis, Tama Canning.

Wellington: Chris Nevin (capt), Roger Twose, Grant Donaldson, Richard Petrie, Tim Boyer, Scott Golder, Matthew Walker, Paul Hitchcock, Mark Jefferson, Jason Wells, Robert Kennedy, Carl Bulfin.