Cricket: CD vow to be positive

Central Districts cricket coach Dipak Patel has promised a positive approach from his side for the Shell Trophy cricket final against Otago which begins in Napier today.

CD, as top qualifiers, have the home ground advantage and Patel and his Craig Spearman-led team could be excused for taking a conservative approach on what will almost certainly be a top batting pitch and working towards a draw to lift the trophy for the first time since 1991-92, when they shared honours with Northern Districts.

But Patel, who has guided a young team to a victory over India and through a successful trophy campaign, is instilling a positive attitude within the Stags as they strive to cap a season which has already exceeded expectations.

"We've got to be more positive than that," he said of suggestions that Central will try to bat Otago out of the game. We'll be looking to play as positively as we can. I would think both teams are more interested in a result, and over five days, I would think there would be."

Former New Zealand test allrounder Patel is delighted with the performance of his team after an inconsistent Shell Cup one-day series and is confident of going on to cap the season with silverware.

Patel said a rebuilding season with a young team had turned out better than anticipated in terms of performance in the Shell Trophy and augured well for the future.

"It's been very encouraging and the aim now is to keep this team together for the next four or five years," he said.

Besides the trophy and $15,000 first prizemoney, several Stags players have the incentive of impressing the national selectors with a tour to England looming.

Spearman, young batsmen Mathew Sinclair and Jacob Oram and pace spearhead Andrew Penn are candidates.

"This is a very good opportunity for guys to get a trip to England. There's no better time than a final to perform," said Patel. "At the same time I don't want that to over-ride the reason we're here - to win the final."

Central have brought a 13-man squad to Napier and Patel will name the playing XI this morning. Otago, who last won the trophy in 1987-88, have made one change to their side. Nathan Morland replaces Nathan McCullum.

Central Districts: Craig Spearman (captain), Jarrod Englefield, Mathew Sinclair, Glen Sulzberger, Mark Douglas, Jacob Oram, Martyn Sigley, Andrew Penn, Campbell Furlong, David Blake, Lance Hamilton, Tim Anderson, Michael Mason (two to be omitted).

Otago: Robbie Lawson (captain), Chris Gaffaney, Chris Davies, Mark Richardson, Stephen Mather, Simon Forde, Martyn Croy, Paul Wiseman, Mark Billcliff, Nathan Morland, Glenn Jonas, David Sewell (one to be omitted). - NZPA