Cricket: Club season kicks off with one-dayers

By TERRY MADDAFORD


Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell has taken a philosophical approach to today's start of the club season.

"Playing on artificial wickets might not be ideal," he said, "but if the choice is playing on them or not at all, I know what my, and the players' preference, would be."

The season gets into gear with the first of seven rounds of round-robin one-day matches. Unfortunately, the bad weather has led to the cancellation of the four first-grade matches, leaving just the eight premier sides to start their season.

While the players who have been part of the Auckland winter squads, including those who already have contracts for the representative season, have the inside running for places in the State Championship and State Shield teams, O'Donnell is adamant that door has not been shut.

"We will have a look at any player who shows consistency," said O'Donnell who, with Rowan Armour and Dipak Patel, will select the Auckland and Auckland A teams.

The one-day competition will, weather permitting, occupy the 16 teams for the next six weeks, with the two-day championship to follow.

The Auckland team will have a week at the academy at Lincoln in Christchurch from November 21-27 and play their first State Championship match against Northern in Hamilton from December 6 to 9.