Cricket: Adams nears top form

By GRAHAM REDDAWAY

New Zealand co-selector Ross Dykes did not miss a ball of the first-round match between Auckland and Northern Districts at Eden Park, and was pleased with what he saw.

Northern won by 55 runs.

With the 15-man World Cup squad to be announced today, Dykes was checking out a number of players, especially Andre Adams and Scott Styris.

And with Adams working up to top speed to take four for 37, Dykes will report back to chief selector Sir Richard Hadlee that the exciting Aucklander is close to being ready for a return to international level.

Dykes admitted that Adams was a key element in the World Cup campaign and was probably the best in the country at closing down an innings when the last overs were being bowled.

Adams said he needed another game to work into top form.

"My fitness is good and I am definitely free of any pain from the old injury, so I'm pretty heartened by it all," Adams said. "But I know I will play better with another game under my belt.

Adams' performance might have made the task of being selected a shade more difficult for Scott Styris, who bowled steadily in the match, going wicketless while conceding 17 runs from nine overs.

But he received no help from the outer oval pitch that died an inglorious death as the match progressed.

Tama Canning remained an outside chance for the squad after a tidy effort, bowling nine overs and taking one for 25.

He was not aided by an untidy Auckland fielding effort that saw half-a-dozen catches put down.

Chasing 214 for victory, Auckland struggled as the wicket deteriorated. Three of their batsmen were caught by James Marshall when they spooned the ball to mid-off from attempted drives; another was caught and bowled by Matthew Hart for the same reason; and there were a couple of occasions when the ball fell harmlessly between fieldsmen.

Winning the toss was imperative and when Northern skipper Rob Hart did that, the visitors appeared to be in the box seat.

But Northern needed a 112-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Matthew Hart and Joseph Yovich to rescue their innings.

Hart made 57 and Yovich increased his previous best one-day score of 34 to 70.

Adams took the wickets of both in his second spell.