Cricket: Coach - we need a level playing field

By CHRIS RATTUE

Auckland cricket coach Tony Sail says sub-standard Shell Cup wickets are making it tough for domestic players to push their international claims.

Auckland take on Northern Districts in Hamilton today, on a wicket Sail believes will be low and slow.

And he said wickets around the country had generally been disappointing.

"I could be wrong about this wicket but there's not a blade of grass on it and I'd expect it to get lower and slower as the game goes on," said Sail.

It was ironic that Central Districts coach Dipak Patel criticised the pitch at Eden Park.

"According to our players it's the best they've played on so far.

"The sort of wicket we had to play on at Jade Stadium makes it very difficult to produce the sort of cricket we've seen from the Black Caps this year."

New Zealand Cricket wanted games played at places such as Mt Maunganui during the holiday period but that made it difficult for the players to put pressure on those in the New Zealand side.

Auckland will be without their two internationals for today's fifth-round match. Dion Nash is out for most of the cup campaign so he can rest a back injury, and the New Zealand management asked that wicketkeeper Adam Parore be rested. He will re-join Auckland for Sunday's match in Wellington.

Spinner Mark Haslam is still working his way back from a broken finger in the B side, while another spinning option, Tim Lythe, has been sidelined by a serious illness. Northern will be without Daniel Vettori (minor leg injury).

Meanwhile, unbeaten Canterbury are boosted by the return of Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan and Chris Harris for the match against Wellington at the Basin Reserve. Knee injuries have ruled out Chris Cairns and Nathan Astle.

Wellington, with just one win in four games, have Roger Twose back in the line-up.

Central Districts, who take on Otago in New Plymouth, have lost their import Craig White, who has been called into the English side for the one-dayers against South Africa.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Peter McGlashan has been called in although Mathew Sinclair is expected to remain as wicketkeeper.

Central have captain Craig Spearman back from New Zealand duties, and Otago have regained Shayne O'Connor.

The match in Hamilton begins at noon.

Northern Districts: Rob Hart (captain), Graeme Aldridge, Mark Bailey, Grant Bradburn, Hamish Marshall, Bruce Martin, Michael Parlane, Neal Parlane, Scott Styris, Alex Tait, Daryl Tuffey, Joseph Yovich.

Auckland: Blair Pocock (captain), Aaron Barnes, John Aiken, Lou Vincent, Tamahau Canning, Andre Adams, Brooke Walker, Reece Young, Kyle Mills, Richard Morgan, Chris Drum.

Wellington (from): Chris Nevin (captain), Matthew Bell, Jason Wells, Roger Twose, Tim Boyer, Grant Donaldson, Richard Petrie, Scott Golder, Matthew Walker, Mayu Pasupati, Mark Jefferson, Paul Hitchcock, Jeetan Patel, Carl Bulfin, Robert Kennedy.

Canterbury: Gary Stead (captain), Brad Doody, Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Jarrod Englefield, Gareth Hopkins, Carl Anderson, Warren Wisneski, Ryan Burson, Chris Martin, Darron Reekers.

Central Districts: Craig Spearman (captain), David Kelly, Mathew Sinclair, Jacob Oram, Mark Douglas, Glen Sulzberger, Peter McGlashan, Craig Findlay, Campbell Furlong, Lance Hamilton, Andrew Penn, Michael Mason.

Otago: Robbie Lawson (captain), Chris Gaffaney, Andrew Hore, Mark Richardson, Stephen Mather, Simon Forde, Martyn Croy, Warren McSkimming, Aaron Gale, Karl O'Dowda, Paul Wiseman, Shayne O'Connor.