Cricket: Astle set for Sunday return

New Zealand allrounder Nathan Astle could be back in action for Canterbury on Sunday.

He was not considered for today's game against State Shield leaders Wellington at the Basin Reserve, but has been named in a 14-strong squad from which the team to play Auckland at Jade Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday will be named.

He will have a fitness test on his injured wrist before the match. Canterbury have retained the same 13 players they had in Oamaru for the sixth round loss to Otago.

There will, however, be changes elsewhere for today's seventh round.

Central Districts captain Glen Sulzberger is out with a cracked finger for today's game against Northern Districts at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth.

His place will be taken by top-order batsman David Kelly.

Northern have the same 13 players in New Plymouth as they had in Rotorua for their disappointing loss to Wellington. A fitness test this morning will determine whether Matt Hart will return to the side.

Central scored 258 on the same pitch before losing to Auckland two days ago.

Auckland have left Kyle Mills out for today's game against Otago on Eden Park's outer oval. Gareth Shaw, who played against Wellington, returns in his place. Mills has a side injury.

Otago have made one change to the team who beat Canterbury on Wednesday. Allrounder Nathan Morland replaces offspinner Rob Smith.

Auckland, back in the race for the play-offs, have in-form opener Matt Horne to again lead their charge. Wellington go into today's round with 25 points - seven ahead of Northern - with Canterbury on 11, Otago 10, Auckland 8 and CD 6.

Teams

AUCKLAND: Matt Horne, Llorne Howell, Aaron Barnes, Nick Horsley, Terry Crabb, Tama Canning, Brooke Walker (capt), Reece Young, Gareth Shaw, Chris Drum, Mark Haslam, Guy Coleman.

OTAGO: Andrew Hore, Robbie Lawson, Craig Cumming, Chris Gaffaney, Craig Pryor, Martyn Croy, Lee Germon (capt), Nathan Morland, Kerry Walmsley, Nathan McCullum, James McMillan, David Sewell.

CENTRAL DISTRICTS: John Nelson, Jamie How, Mathew Sinclair, David Kelly, Richard King, Ben Smith, Bevan Griggs, Campbell Furlong, Andrew Schwass, Michael Mason, Brent Hefford, Lance Hamilton.

NORTHERN DISTRICTS: James Marshall, Simon Doull, Matthew Hart, Grant Robinson, Mark Bailey, Hamish Marshall, Grant Bradburn, Jaden Hatwell, Robbie Hart (capt), Joseph Yovich, Daryl Tuffey, Graeme Aldridge, Ian Butler.

WELLINGTON: Matthew Bell (capt), Chris Nevin, Richard Jones, David Sales, Matthew Walker, Mark Jefferson, Mayu Pasupati, Paul Hitchcock, Mark Gillespie, Andrew Penn, Jeetan Patel, Grant Donaldson.

CANTERBURY: Gary Stead (capt), Jarrod Englefield, Shannon Stewart, Stephen Cunis, Ryan Burson, Brad Doody, Michael Papps, Darron Reekers, Paul Wiseman, Carl Anderson, Warren Wisneski, Chris Martin, Aaron Redmond.