Cricket: Adams running low on chances to impress

By RICHARD BOOCK

Even by his own lofty standards, the past few days have been a shade variable for New Zealand all-rounder Andre Adams.

Possibly the nation's biggest striker of a ball since Lance Cairns, Adams has been in and out of the Black Caps since his debut three summers ago, and faces another uphill battle to earn a recall for the South African series.

He missed Auckland's last two State Shield matches with a side strain.

Adams received mixed news at the weekend when he was cleared to play in today's semifinal against Central Districts, but not selected for Sunday's inter-island contest.

The North-South one-dayer is viewed as a final trial before coach John Bracewell names his squad for the first one-dayer against South Africa, to be played at Eden Park on Friday week.

To make matters worse, Adams was one of a group of Auckland players who were delayed by the cancellation of their flight yesterday, forcing them to detour to Wellington before heading back to New Plymouth.

Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell was still waiting for most of his side at 6pm last night, but was satisfied with Adams' fitness and said the 28-year-old would definitely play.

"Andre was fine," he said. "He had a light bowl and field on Saturday morning and there was no lingering pain or discomfort, so he'll play and hopefully he can come up with a big game."

Adams' inclusion means O'Donnell will probably drop a batsman from his squad of 12, most likely left-handed opener Tim McIntosh.

However, Adams' non-selection in the North-South game means he has only today's match and possibly Friday's final to convince the selectors of his value for the upcoming series.

There have already been suggestions that he was overlooked for North-South selection because of his unpredictable form in the recent one-dayers against Pakistan, where he was dropped after the first match and only brought back when the series was safe.

But it seems more likely he was omitted because of his side-strain problems, as he was only cleared on the morning the inter-island sides were named.

The other complication for Auckland is that it was raining in New Plymouth last night and is expected to continue today, raising the possibility of the use of the reserve day, or a Duckworth-Lewis assisted result.

In a worst-case scenario, if no play is possible at Pukekura Park today or tomorrow, Central will qualify for the final on the basis of their superior ranking.

Auckland have been unconvincing during round-robin play, but have the experience of playing in last year's final at North Harbour Stadium, and are bursting at the seams with present or former internationals.

Their biggest threat is undoubtedly the strike-power of Central's top and middle-order batting, something O'Donnell believes could either work for or against his side.

"They have a great front five who really attack the bowling and go hard at the ball, which can be destructive for the fielding side and often gives them a great platform for later in the innings.

"But by the same token, you often get opportunities from that style of batting, especially when you've got bowlers who swing the ball around a bit like Kyle Mills and Kerry Walmsley."

The Central attack revolves around New Zealand paceman Michael Mason, and O'Donnell said it was probably the opposite of the batting lineup in terms of intent.

"They're pretty useful. Mason is bowling well and other guys like Andrew Schwass and Lance Hamilton just build the pressure and try to suffocate you."

Teams

AUCKLAND: Brooke Walker (capt), Andre Adams, Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Paul Hitchcock, Matt Horne, Llorne Howell, Tim McIntosh, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Kerry Walmsley, Reece Young.

CENTRAL DISTRICTS: Jacob Oram (capt), Jamie How, Craig Spearman, Ross Taylor, Mathew Sinclair, Glen Sulzberger, Jarrod Englefield, Bevan Griggs, Campbell Furlong, Michael Mason, Andrew Schwass, Lance Hamilton.