KEY POINTS:
Paul Hitchcock is poised to return to Auckland's one-day side today as they home in on securing the direct route to the March 2 final.
Having been released from the New Zealand 13 for yesterday's second ODI against England in Hamilton, Hitchcock is likely to return to his regular opening role at the top of Auckland's batting order against Canterbury at Eden Park. Victory for Auckland will just about seal home advantage for the State Shield decider.
Auckland have a nine-point cushion over Otago, with Central Districts and Canterbury joint third a further two back.
The likes of Jones, Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol are making solid contributions with the bat while Lou Vincent has returned from his well-publicised break in a rich vein of form.
Young opener Guptill is averaging 64, Jones 40, Nicol 38, in addition to picking up 13 wickets at 23.8.
Canterbury arrive with an unchanged 12 from that which convincingly beat Central Districts on Sunday. A win will put them within reach of making the semifinal for the second and third placed finishers.
In today's other eighth-round games, Wellington host Otago at the Basin Reserve and CD play Northern Districts in Palmerston North.
Points: Auckland 25, Otago 16, CD and Canterbury 14, Wellington 11, ND 10.
