Auckland will field at least one debutant when the Plunket Shield resumes today. The 12 for the fourth-round game against joint leaders Northern Districts include left-arm spinner Vishi Jeet and seamer Brett Randell.
Although Randell was 12th man for Auckland's last two shield games before Christmas, he's yet to make his first-class debut, as is the case for Jeet.
Regular skipper Rob Nicol remains on the injured list after hurting a foot during the Ford Trophy. Seamer Matt Quinn and legspinner Tarun Nethula are also nursing injuries.
Five days ago, Auckland were licking their wounds after being well beaten by Central Districts in the trophy final on the same ground.
But coach Matt Horne is confident there will be no hangover from that disappointment. "The guys have got their heads straight back into four-day cricket mode and that's the mindset we need to get into from ball one," he said.
