Cricket: Leaders present stern test for Auckland

Auckland captain Andrew de Boorder. Photo / Getty Images

Two matches, no wins; just the scenario you really want when the runaway competition leaders are rolling into town.

That's Auckland's lot as they prepare to face Central Districts in the third round of the Plunket Shield at Colin Maiden Park.

The first innings points against Otago last week are all Auckland have accrued so far, and they have lost their international new ball pair, Kyle Mills and Daryl Tuffey, both now in India for the ODI series starting this Sunday.

However, new captain Andrew de Boorder is undaunted by the challenge.

"It's exciting and I'm looking forward to it," he said yesterday.

"It's a good test of our form as well, going up against the Stags when they're on top of the table."

Indeed, CD have romped clear with maximum points off Wellington and Canterbury so far.

In under 19 international, Ben Wheeler, and ageless Michael Mason, they have a new ball pair in strong form, having taken 25 of the 40 wickets CD have got between them.

CD have lost experienced opener Jamie How to India, but aren't short of capable batsmen.

They also include two former Auckland players, Carl Cachopa, brother of Auckland wicketkeeper Brad and who played nine first-class games between 2005 and 2007; and legspinner Tarun Nethula, who headed south in search of more game time this season.

Auckland have recalled Lance Shaw and should have left-armer Michael Bates fit, after sitting out the loss to Otago with a side injury.

Northern Districts host Canterbury at Whangarei's Cobham Oval today. The defending champions were in milestone mode last week, with allrounder Joey Yovich becoming the fourth ND player to reach 100 first-class games - joining coach Grant Bradburn (115), the late Andy Roberts (104) and captain James Marshall (102).

They have introduced lively new ball bowler Andrew Mathieson - who has produced up to 145kph - to their squad; hope to have Jono Boult available, depending on a fitness test on a shoulder injury before the game; but are without batsman Daniel Flynn, who has a groin injury, and ODI international Scott Styris, who is in India.

In the other game, Wellington, pointless at the bottom of the table, host confident Otago, who have lost no players to the New Zealand ODI squad in India.

PLUNKET SHIELD
Round 3, all 1:30am today

Auckland v Central Districts, Colin Maiden Park

Auckland (from): Andrew de Boorder (c), Jeet Raval, Brad Cachopa, Greg Todd, Anaru Kitchen, Colin de Grandhomme, Andre Adams, Colin Munro, Gareth Shaw, Lance Shaw, Michael Bates, Bhupinder Singh.
CD (from): Kruger van Wyk (c), Peter Ingram, Brad Patton, Carl Cachopa, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Weston, Doug Bracewell, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Seth Rance, Tarun Nethula, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ben Wheeler, Michael Mason.

Northern Districts v Canterbury, Whangarei

ND (from): James Marshall (c), Brad Wilson, Michael Parlane, Anton Devcich, Joe Yovich, Bradley Scott, Owen Ivins, Trent Boult, Andrew Mathieson, Jason Donnelly, Graeme Aldridge, Keir Bettley.
Canterbury (from): Peter Fulton (c), Michael Papps, Rob Nicol, Dean Brownlie, Reece Young, Tom Latham, Andrew Ellis, Todd Astle, Brandon Hiini, Mitchell Claydon, Logan van Beek, Ryan McCone.

Wellington v Otago, Basin Reserve

Wellington (from): Neal Parlane (c), Matthew Bell, Josh Brodie, Cam Merchant, Stewart Rhodes, Luke Woodcock, Michael Pollard, Harry Boam, Joe Austin-Smellie, Jayde Herrick, Fraser Quarterman, DeWayne Bowden, Andrew Lamb, Tipene Friday.
Otago (from): Craig Cumming (c), Aaron Redmond, Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Darren Broom, Sam Wells, Derek de Boorder, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, James McMillan, Warren McSkimming.

Points: CD 16, ND 10, Otago 6, Auckland 2, Canterbury 2, Wellington 0.