Cricket: Challenges of change for the new domestic season

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New faces, new coaches and a new sponsor bring the promise of a refreshing look to the domestic season, which starts on Monday.

Auckland and Central Districts, who meet on Eden Park's outer oval in the first round of the new (four-day) State Championship, are two of only three teams to retain last season's coaches - Tony Sail and Dipak Patel.

The sides have new captains. Brooke Walker takes over at Auckland and at Central Districts, Worcestershire professional Ben Smith comes in for the injured Jacob Oram.

Oram, who fractured his foot again in a training accident this week, could miss the entire season.

Central's top-order batting will rely heavily on "imports." Smith joins former Aucklanders Richard King, a regular in the Aces top order last season, and Richard Scragg.

Central can, however, welcome back fast bowlers Lance Hamilton and Michael Mason, who missed last season through injury.

Auckland welcome Matt Horne back from Otago to partner Tim McIntosh at the top of the order.

Horne's enthusiasm and experience will also be invaluable for newcomers Rob Nicol and Nick Horsley, who have been named in the 12 for the first match.

Both seem likely to play given the fresh, green pitch expected to confront the teams in the season-opener.

Nicol and Horsley, while selected primarily as batsmen, can also add spinning options.

Richard Pudney, nursing a broken thumb after being hit at practice this week, will miss up to eight weeks.

Northern Districts, under their new coach, Bruce Blair, take a little-changed line-up into their game against Otago in Dunedin.

Robbie Hart is back to lead the side, which includes just one newcomer, Counties Manukau pace bowler Ian Butler.

He will provide the back-up for Simon Doull, Graeme Aldridge and Joseph Yovich.

Changes to the batting order have been made necessary in part through the absence of Neal and Michael Parlane, who have been given time to further prepare with a gymnasium-based programme in Whangarei. Former New Zealand spin bowler Matt Hart will open with James Marshall.

Hart's deputy, former international Scott Styris, will bat at No 4 with Mark Bailey at three.

At 32, Doull still hankers for another chance at test cricket.

"I'm still on 98 [test] wickets and would love 100," Doull said.

"But I don't want it to be a token effort. I would like to set my sights on 150 if I'm given the chance."

There is a changing of the guard in Otago.

New coach Glenn Turner has called in former Canterbury and New Zealand captain Lee Germon.

Germon captained Otago's one-day side last season but will now lead the championship team, which includes returning former captain and top-order batsman Robbie Lawson.

Vaughn Johnson is back to coach defending champions Wellington. Former Aucklander Richard Jones captains the side in Matthew Bell's absence.

Canterbury, who play Wellington at Rangiora, have former medium-pace bowler Michael Sharpe as their new coach. Gary Stead leads the largely unchanged side.

The championship will be played throughout the season, and the test players are likely to be back for third-round matches next month.

The fourth round will be played from December 28-31 before a break for the State Shield (one-day competition) until mid-February. The final round will be in late March.

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First round teams:

Auckland v Central Districts, Eden Park outer oval

Auckland: Brooke Walker (capt), Andre Adams, Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Chris Drum, Mark Haslam, Matt Horne, Nick Horsley, Tim McIntosh, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Reece Young. Coach: Tony Sail.

Central Districts: Ben Smith (capt), David Kelly, Richard Scragg, Richard King, Jamie How, Campbell Furlong, Bevan Griggs, Ewen Thompson, Andrew Schwass, Michael Mason, Brent Hefford, Lance Hamilton. Coach: Dipak Patel.

Otago v Northern Districts, Carisbrook, Dunedin

Otago (from): Lee Germon (capt), Martyn Croy, Craig Cumming, Chris Gaffaney, Andrew Hore, Robbie Lawson, Brendon McCullum, Evan Marshall, Nathan Morland, Craig Pryor, Bradley Scott, David Sewell, Rob Smith, Kerry Walmsley. Coach: Glenn Turner.

Northern Districts: Robbie Hart (capt), Scott Styris, James Marshall, Hamish Marshall, Mark Bailey, Matthew Hart, Grant Bradburn, Simon Doull, Graham Aldridge, Bruce Martin, Ian Butler, Joseph Yovich. Coach: Bruce Blair.

Canterbury v Wellington, Dudley Park, Rangiora

Canterbury (from): Gary Stead (capt), Brad Doody, Jarrod Englefield, Michael Papps, Chris Harris, Aaron Redmond, Shannon Stewart, Gareth Hopkins, Paul Wiseman, Warren Wisneski, Stephen Cunis, Wade Cornelius, Ryan Burson. Coach: Michael Sharpe.

Wellington: Richard Jones (capt), Phil Chandler, Grant Donaldson, Selwyn Blackmore, Rhys Morgan, Chris Nevin, James Franklin, Matthew Walker, Andrew Penn, Ash Turner, Jeetan Patel, Mark Jefferson. Coach: Vaughn Johnson.