Cricket: Heads high again for Auckland

By CHRIS RATTUE

New Zealand Cricket's new scouting policy has paid instant dividends for Auckland. Tamahau Canning, the 22-year-old former West Australian all-rounder, rescued the Auckland batting at Alexandra yesterday to fire them to a three-wicket one-day win over Otago.

Auckland are now officially on a roll, having limited their first three opponents of the Shell Cup to under 200 and succeeding with their run chases. They knocked off Otago's 195 with 11 balls to spare.

All three opponents have used some questionable tactics. Wellington batted as if the world was full of tomorrows, Central Districts' brainstorm was to open the batting with their tail-enders, and Otago apparently decided not to employ their one international bowler, Paul Wiseman, despite including him in the lineup. Wiseman claimed he had a sore arm, although captain Robbie Lawson said he just didn't use him.

Never mind. Auckland cricket is starting to hold its head up high again. Canning was the catalyst for the win at Molyneux Park, but Andre Adams was again the major wicket-grabber, and his victims included dangerous opener Andrew Hore and Otago's most influential batsman, Mark Richardson. And Richard Morgan followed up Canning's lead, blasting Otago's attack in the final stages.

Canning was making his Auckland debut, although he has played three first-class matches for West Australia.

His mother, who is Maori, hailed from Ruatoki near Whakatane and his father is from Invercargill. He was conceived in New Zealand but born in Adelaide, as his parents were heading to Perth where his father had a job lined up as a deck hand.

New Zealand Cricket boss Christopher Doig, who believes in scouting the world for Black Caps-eligible talent, and Dayle Hadlee from the national academy approached Canning last year.

He and his fiancee took just two days to decide on the move, although it is now tinged with some regret.

He has since heard that allrounder Tom Moody has retired from the Western Warriors. "If I'd known I would probably have stayed," he said. "The money over there is so good for a start."

So good, that despite only making three appearances for West Australia, he earned $40,000 in the season, mainly through promotional appearances and coaching.

Canning got to the crease halfway through Auckland's 50 overs, with the score at 76 for 4. He immediately stepped down the wicket to spinner Simon Forde, and blasted his way to 48 from 42 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes before lobbing a catch to deep cover.

Auckland had earlier produced Jekyll and Hyde catching. They put down four, but made partial amends with three great catches from Brooke Walker, Canning, and wicketkeeper Lou Vincent.

Adams, like Vincent and Canning, lends an international air to the Auckland side. His father was born in St Vincent and his mother in Guyana. It is rumoured that the New Zealand-born Adams joked to the touring West Indians he was eligible for their side.

"I don't go on about my West Indian side but I do love having that part of me. When you think of the West Indies you think of fishing, cricket and rum."

"There's great spirit in this Auckland side and we won a game today that the Auckland team two years ago would probably have lost."