Cricket: Do or die time for Northern Districts

It's virtually sudden death for Northern Districts in their day-night match against Canterbury in Hamilton today.

Last-placed Northern, who are the defending champions, face top-of-the-table Canterbury aware they must win at least four of their five remaining matches - and possibly all of them - if they are to make the semifinals.

"We must get out and do the job," Northern captain Rob Hart said yesterday. "We need to stay strong and have the old Northern courage to come through.

"We've been disappointed with our performances to date, but there will be no finger-pointing, just a determination to get back on track."

Hart rated his team's chances as "hard but not impossible."

"We've played some pretty average cricket, but can only try to turn it around and improve."

He emphasised that the team's poor showing was no reflection on coach Bruce Blair.

"We are really well coached. There is no pressure on Bruce, but we need to repay his work with some good performances."

Opening bowler Ian Butler returns to the fray for Northern today, joining fellow Black Cap Hamish Marshall.

Northern's prospects have not been helped by New Zealand coach John Bracewell's request that internationals Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori and Daryl Tuffey sit the game out.

However, Hart readily accepted the request. "It doesn't do anyone any good if these players are run into the ground. One-dayers can be really hard on the body and people in cricket will understand they are put under huge pressure."

The good news for Northern was that Canterbury would also be without their internationals, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum and Craig McMillan.

In other matches, Auckland take on Wellington at the Basin Reserve and Otago host Central Districts at Carisbrook.

Unfortunately, the weather might be intrusive with more rain forecast for Wellington today.

Points: Canterbury 13, Otago and Wellington 12, Auckland 11, Central 10, Northern 4.

Northern Districts: Rob Hart (cap), James Marshall, Nick Horsley, Hamish Marshall, Grant Robinson, Matt Hart, Jamie Lee, Joey Yovich, Bruce Martin, Graeme Aldridge, Ian Butler, Mark Orchard.

Canterbury: Chris Harris (capt), Neil Broom, Steve Cunis, Cleighten Cornelius, Andrew Ellis, Peter Fulton, Michael Papps, Chris Martin, Gary Stead, Shanan Stewart, Paul Wiseman, Warren Wisneski.

Auckland: Brooke Walker (capt), Andre Adams, Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Paul Hitchcock, Llorne Howell, Matt Horne, Tim McIntosh, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Kerry Walmsley, Reece Young.

Wellington: Matthew Bell (capt), Grant Donaldson, Chris Nevin, Richard Jones, Michael Parlane, Neal Parlane, Matthew Walker, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Mayu Pasupati, Luke Woodcock, Ashley Turner.

- NZPA