Cricket: Auckland's last chance to get some silverware

Scott Styris. Photo / Dean Purcell

Auckland need to put the crushing Twenty20 final defeat behind them swiftly as they resume their one-day campaign in Oamaru today.

Having been walloped by the Ross Taylor-inspired Central Districts in the HRV Cup final last Sunday, Auckland face Otago in a top vs bottom clash to kick off the final three rounds of the 50-over competition.

And as they sit bottom and pointless in the Plunket Shield competition, so this is their remaining chance to collect some silverware this season.

Scott Styris will fill in for regular skipper Gareth Hopkins, who is with New Zealand for tonight's Twenty20 international against Bangladesh.

Styris, unwanted in either of New Zealand's short-form squads to face the tourists, should be motivated enough to continue a solid run of limited-overs form.

Besides Hopkins, Auckland are without internationals Martin Guptill and Daryl Tuffey, and English import Ravi Bopara, who is being rested.

That means a first start for under-19 international Jimmy Neesham and returns for test opener Tim McIntosh, Andrew de Boorder, Lance Shaw and Bhupinder Singh.

"It is hard losing so many quality players but we are fortunate to have great depth in Auckland and all the replacements are proven performers who will be keen to make their mark," Auckland coach Paul Strang said.

With only three rounds remaining to find the four semifinalists, two wins will guarantee Auckland a home semifinal.

Northern Districts must win their three games - starting with Wellington in the capital today - and may need a couple of other results to go their way to make the playoffs.

They have lost internationals Dan Vettori and Tim Southee, and Sri Lankan star Tillekaratne Dilshan has departed.

Wellington are without captain Matthew Bell, who is recovering from a broken toe.

Former international fast bowler Mark Gillespie returns for Wellington after being out for a year with a back injury.

In the clutch game of the round, second-placed Canterbury visit third-placed Central Districts at New Plymouth, Shane Bond returning for his first game since suffering his pre-Christmas abdominal injury.

Points: Auckland 17, Canterbury 13, CD 12, Wellington 8, ND 8, Otago 4.