KEY POINTS:
Auckland, looking to return to winning ways, have made one change for their fourth-round State Shield one-day match against Wellington at Eden Park today.
Allrounder Paul Hitchcock is out with a viral complaint. His place has gone to left arm medium pacer Andrew McKay.
Having won their first two games, on the back of some solid batting, Auckland came unstuck against Otago at Eden Park last Sunday, losing by 39 runs, despite a bold 82 off 61 balls from discarded international Scott Styris.
Wellington are in the same boat as Auckland - two wins followed by a loss to Northern Districts in Whangarei. Both trail leaders Central Districts, with Wellington second and Auckland third equal with Otago.
Northern had been hoping to unveil their recalled English international opener Andrew Strauss for today's game against Canterbury in Hamilton. However, Strauss' plane from South Africa was delayed. He will make his first appearance against Otago at Hamilton on Sunday.
In the other fourth round game, CD host bottom-placed Canterbury at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
* THE TEAMS
Auckland v Wellington
Eden Park, today, noon
Auckland: Richard Jones (c), Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Scott Styris, David Houpapa, Gareth Hopkins, Colin de Grandhomme, Andre Adams, Greg Morgan, Andrew McKay, Roneel Hira, Daryl Tuffey.
Wellington: Michael Parlane (c), Jesse Ryder, Neal Parlane, Chris Nevin, Grant Elliott, Luke Woodcock, Simon Allen, Dewayne Bowden, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel, Mark Houghton, Charlie Schreck.
