KEY POINTS:
Auckland will aim to get back on the horse pronto when they play Northern Districts in the sixth round of the national championship in Gisborne today.
They surrendered their State Championship lead when Wellington whipped them by an innings and 95 runs at Eden Park last week.
Auckland were rolled for just 132 in their second innings, with five of the top seven batsmen making just nine runs, but the changes are in the bowling line up.
English fast-medium bowler James Anderson has left for more important matters at the Basin Reserve and Michael Bates is injured.
Medium pacer Azhar Abbas, leading club wicket-taker for Eden Roskill, and spinner Roneel Hira have been brought in.
Auckland trail Wellington by six points. The leaders travel south to play Otago.
In Christchurch, Canterbury, with international Peter Fulton returning from injury, play Central Districts, who have Michael Mason back.
Points after five rounds: Wellington 24, Auckland 18, Canterbury 18, Otago 8, ND 6, CD 4.
ND v AUCKLAND
Gisborne, 10.30am today
Northern Districts: James Marshall (c), BJ Watling, Brad Wilson, Daniel Flynn, Cameron Merchant, Simon Andrews, Peter McGlashan, Mark Orchard, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Bruce Martin, Graeme Aldridge.
Auckland: Richard Jones (c), Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Colin de Grandhomme, Gareth Hopkins, Andrew de Boorder, Roneel Hira, Andy McKay, Greg Morgan, Azhar Abbas, Gareth Hayne.
