Cricket: Howell's no-show angers selector

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Auckland batsman Llorne Howell has been shown the red card by coach-selector Tony Sail and will miss today's Shell Cup cricket match against Wellington at Eden Park.

Howell failed to show for practice yesterday and has lost his place to John Aiken, who will play his first cup game of the season.

"Llorne rang me to say he couldn't get back from Napier for training but the others made the effort," said Sail. "The selectors are looking for a greater commitment so we decided to call in John Aiken."

Sail said the Aces were keen to get back into a winning frame of mind after losing both their trophy and cup matches to Otago last week.

"We are not going to dwell too much on four bad days of cricket against Otago," said Sail. "We have won two from three so far and want to make that five from six after these next three games."

Sail said Kyle Mills, back for his first game of the cup campaign after being injured in an early season Super Max match, would probably bat at No 10 to give some real strength to the lower order.

"He hasn't had a bat in the middle so we will keep him down there for now," said Sail. "While we won't name the team until just before the match, it is likely one of the bowlers will be 12th man, which will allow us to go in with six batters."

Sail said Wellington were a better team than their none-from-three record suggested.

"On paper they are definitely not the worst in the competition. On their day, all teams are capable of beating each other."

Richard Petrie, who appears to have recovered from an Achilles' tendon injury, is back in the Wellington squad after representing New Zealand at a double-wicket tournament in Pakistan, with another former international Mark Greatbatch.

Andrew Penn is also back after injury and will join Carl Bulfin as the likely new-ball bowlers.

Roger Twose is the danger for Auckland. With scores of 8, 23 and 5 (run out), Twose has yet to produce his best but he is better than that.

Auckland go into the match on the outer oval (start 11 am) with four points in second place, with Wellington last and pointless.

Otago, fresh from that win over Auckland, head to their traditional summer home at Alexandra's Molyneux Park as leaders on five points for their match against Canterbury - who have two points in fifth place.

Northern Districts coach Chris Kuggeleijn had his share of worries yesterday as he awaited the match against Central Districts.

With New Plymouth airport closed because of fog, the Hamilton-based players had a three-hour bus trip while the six players who spent their Christmas in the north had to fly to Palmerston North and then catch a bus.

That all may be in vain as it was raining heavily in New Plymouth yesterday, throwing the Pukekura Park clash into doubt.