Cricket: Auckland aiming to build on flying start

DUNEDIN - Otago captain Robbie Lawson wants to see his bowlers take a step up when their round two Shell Trophy cricket match against Auckland starts at Carisbrook today.

Although not beating Canterbury outright in Christchurch in the opening round, Otago took first innings points and produced two good batting performances.

Stephen Mather scored his third first-class century and Andrew Hore his first, while Mark Richardson and Chris Gaffaney were also among the runs.

Lawson wants more good batting and an improvement in bowling to see off the Aucklanders' challenge.

"Our bowling perhaps wasn't as effective as it could have been and I think we can improve on that," Lawson said.

Auckland made a flying start to their Trophy campaign, dealing to Wellington by an innings at Eden Park.

Captain Blair Pocock, a former test opening batsman, made his highest first-class score - 167 - as his side posted a formidable 515 for seven declared in their only knock.

The surprise contributor was young legspinner Brooke Walker, who made his maiden first-class century and took four wickets in Wellington's second innings.

In other games, Wellington and Northern Districts, both first-round losers, meet at the Basin Reserve, while Central Districts - who include Lindisfarne College seventh former and New Zealand Youth team representative Taraia Robin in their lineup - entertain Canterbury at Napier's McLean Park.

Wellington have significant injury problems and if captain Chris Nevin is ruled unfit, only four players from last season's final-round trophy match are likely to start today.

Teams: Otago: Robbie Lawson (capt), Andrew Hore, Matt Horne, Mark Richardson, Stephen Mather, Chris Gaffaney, Martyn Croy, Warren McSkimming, Paul Wiseman, Shayne O'Connor, David Sewell, Nathan Morland.

Auckland: Blair Pocock (capt), Tim McIntosh, John Aiken, Lou Vincent, Richard King, Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Brooke Walker, Reece Young, Kyle Mills, Chris Drum, Kerry Walmsley.

Central Districts: David Kelly, Joseph Hill, Mathew Sinclair, Glen Sulzberger, Mark Douglas, Jacob Oram (capt), Martyn Sigley, Campbell Furlong, Brent Hefford, Tim Anderson, Taraia Robin, Kervin Marc.

Canterbury: Craig Cumming, Brad Doody, Jarrod Englefield, Gary Stead (capt), Michael Papps, Aaron Redmond, Gareth Hopkins, Carl Anderson, Ryan Burson, Hayden Shaw, Stephen Cunis, Chris Martin.

Wellington (from): Richard Petrie (capt), Grant Donaldson, Matthew Bell, Selwyn Blackmore, Tim Boyer, James Franklin, Paul Hitchcock, Mark Jefferson, Jeetan Patel, Stephen Hotter, Robert Kennedy, Chris Nevin, Scott Golder, Stu Mills.

Northern Districts (from): Robbie Hart (capt), James Marshall, Michael Parlane, Mark Bailey, Neal Parlane, Hamish Marshall, Joseph Yovich, Grant Bradburn, Alex Tait, Darryl Tuffey, Bruce Martin, Graham Aldridge.

Points after one round of the Shell Trophy: Auckland 6, Central Districts 6, Otago 2, Northern Districts 2, Wellington 0, Canterbury 0.

- NZPA