Cricket: Auckland signing stumped

Auckland's efforts to sign a top-class import for the coming season appear to have been stymied by his inclusion in an England Academy side.

Coach Mark O'Donnell said Auckland were close to signing a quality batsman, though he wouldn't say who, but he has made an Academy squad that will be in Perth this summer to be on standby for the Ashes.

"That means he will be there from mid-November to the end of the Ashes, which is a large chunk of our season, so we don't know if that'll work."

Auckland need a prolific run scorer after last season, when none of the top order convinced. Martin Guptill led the first-class averages with 44.25 but played just two games.

Richard Jones had their highest aggregate, 517, but that was only ninth best in the Championship for a so-so average of 36.92.

In the State Shield, Rob Nicol was fifth in aggregate and third in average with his 380 runs at 63.33.

England are taking six specialist batsmen to Perth - Ravi Bopara, Rikki Clarke, Stephen Davies, Ed Joyce, Robert Key and Owais Shah.

Bopara and Davies are relative unknowns but the others would be options for Auckland if they can reach a deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Clarke and Key, in particular, are the sort of stylists that would attract more spectators.

O'Donnell said the new collective made it more difficult to sign overseas players.