Cricket: Hart spins into frame for the top order

Otago coach Glenn Turner is not surprised by Northern Districts' plans to transform former test spinner Matthew Hart into an opening batsman.

Otago meet Northern Districts at Carisbrook today in the opening round of the four-day State Championship.

Hart, until now better known for his left-arm spin bowling, has been selected to partner James Marshall at the top of the order.

"Matthew has been heading that way for quite a while now," Turner said.

"He batted fairly high up the order for Northern Districts last season and has been concentrating more on his batting than his bowling in recent times. It is not really a surprise.

"Regardless of where he bats, Matthew has always been pretty useful."

Hart batted in the middle order for ND last summer. He scored 411 runs, including four half-centuries, at an average of 37.36.

He could draw inspiration from Mark Richardson, who resurrected his career by switching from spin bowling to batting.

Richardson cemented a spot in the Black Caps' test team last season and was crowned New Zealand's batsman of the year.

Past injury concerns mean that ND vice-captain and former international seam bowler Scott Styris is also likely to make batting his main focus this season.

Even with Hart and Styris concentrating on batting, Northern Districts still boasts a formidable bowling attack, spearheaded by yet another former international, Simon Doull.

Otago captain Lee Germon will reach a special milestone when he makes his 100th first-class appearance. It has been a long time between drinks for Germon, whose last first-class game was Canterbury's Shell Trophy final win over ND in 1998.

He retired after that game, but made a comeback to captain Otago in its one-day games last season.

Otago will draw level with ND in match records if they can win this week.

Of the 56 matches between the two sides, ND have won 19, Otago 18 and 19 have been drawn.

Today's other two matches are between Auckland and Central Districts at the Eden Park outer oval, and Canterbury v Wellington at Rangiora.

- NZPA