KEY POINTS:
English professional Mal Loye is poised to return to an Auckland team chasing their first win when they face Canterbury in the third round of the first-class championship at Eden Park today.
Loye, who has hit 38 first-class hundreds for Northamptonshire and Lancashire, twinged a calf during the second round draw against Wellington in Christchurch last week.
He has a fitness test this morning but the signs are encouraging he will join a group of batsmen who have been in decent nick so far.
Opener Tim McIntosh's double century against Otago was the high point, captain Richard Jones is averaging 48 and Rob Nicol's two innings have produced 160 and 85.
Andre Adams struck a rapid century against Otago but Lou Vincent is still to have a decent, lengthy innings.
Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell has named 13 players and, if Colin Munro gets a start, it will be the under-19 international's debut at this level.
O'Donnell will be hoping for more penetration from his bowlers, who battled in the batting-friendly pitches of Christchurch where Auckland played their opening two games.
Canterbury, lying second in the State Championship on eight points, welcome back opener Michael Papps. He was in fine touch in pre-season play before damaging a finger and missing the first two rounds.
It will be a squad shorn of familiar names, although there is a seasoned core in captain Chris Harris, Craig McMillan and Peter Fulton.
Wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk is back, having been forced to sit out the second round game against Northern Districts with the national selectors wanting Brendon McCullum to take the gloves in the lead-up to this week's first test against Sri Lanka.
Pace bowler Sunnie Chan is poised to make his first-class debut and the last time Leighton Burtt was at Eden Park, for his one-day debut last January, he snared five for 26 on debut.
* Northern Districts, fresh from their win over Central Districts last week, host Wellington in Hamilton.
They have one of their two centurions from the CD game in their line-up, Hamish Marshall, but the other one, Daniel Vettori, is on test duty, with James Marshall taking over the captaincy. One surprise inclusion is former Wellington spinner Mark Jefferson, now back living in Gisborne. He replaces the injured Bruce Martin, while B.J. Watling returns after injuring a finger in round one.
Wellington will pick up either Iain O'Brien or James Franklin today, whoever is omitted from the New Zealand 12 in Christchurch.
* South African-born bowler Andrew Niblett makes his first-class debut here for table toppers Central against Otago in Napier today. CD will be led by experienced pace bowler Lance Hamilton in the absence of recalled test opener Jamie How. Otago are led by Gareth Hopkins, in the absence of recalled test opener Craig Cumming.
TEAMS
(Games start 10.30am)
Auckland v Canterbury, Eden Park
Auckland: Richard Jones (c), Tim McIntosh, Mal Loye, Rob Nicol, Lou Vincent, Martin Guptill, Tama Canning, Andre Adams, Reece Young, Lance Shaw, Paul Hitchcock, Tim Lythe, Colin Munro (two to be omitted).
Canterbury: Chris Harris (c), Todd Astle, Michael Papps, Peter Fulton, Craig McMillan, Kruger van Wyk, Brent Findlay, Leighton Burtt, Brandon Hiini, Chris Small, Sunnie Chan.
Northern Districts v Wellington, Seddon Park, Hamilton
ND: James Marshall (c), BJ Watling, Hamish Marshall, Alun Evans, Brad Wilson, Daniel Flynn, Mark Orchard, Peter McGlashan, Joe Yovich, Graeme Aldridge, Mark Jefferson, Brent Arnel (one to be omitted).
Wellington: Michael Parlane (c), Matthew Bell, Grant Elliott, Neal Parlane, Jesse Ryder, Luke Woodcock, Chris Nevin, Dewayne Bowden, Stu Mills, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel, Scott Rasmussen (one to be omitted).
Central Districts v Otago, McLean Park, Napier
CD: Lance Hamilton (c), Geoff Barnett, Bevan Griggs, Greg Hay, Ross Taylor, Tim Weston, Peter Ingram, Ewen Thompson, Robbie Schaw, Andrew Niblett, Brent Hefford.
Otago: Gareth Hopkins (c), Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Aaron Redmond, Jordan Sheed, Greg Todd, Craig Smith, Matt Harvie, Kyle Hogg, Nathan McCullum, James McMillan, Bradley Scott (one to be omitted).
