Cricket: Central decide to sever ties with Spearman

Central Districts have severed ties with former New Zealand opening cricket batsman Craig Spearman.

Central coach Graeme Barlow confirmed yesterday that the Gloucestershire professional had made himself available to play as a one-day specialist this summer but his offer had been declined.

"I think he was reasonably keen but the way things are looking with Mathew Sinclair seemingly not wanted by New Zealand we are reasonably well off in the batting department," Barlow told The Dominion Post newspaper.

Central's one-day batting lineup looks imposing, with Sinclair a possible opening partner for Jamie How, followed by Ross Taylor, Jarrod Englefield, Jacob Oram and Matthew Walker.

Spearman, 33, began playing for Central in 1996-97 and, apart from 2001-02 when he stayed in England, he has played ever since as their one-day import.

However, he has not scored as heavily as some may have hoped, compiling just 350 runs at an average of 35 in 2002-03, 231 at 25.66 in 2003-04 and 301 at 30.10 last season.

- nzpa