Cricket: Mended bowlers boost Auckland for CD

By CHRIS RATTUE


Auckland's pace attack is back in good health for the start of the State Championship fourth-round clash against Central Districts at Eden Park today.

Central have retained the side which drew a rain-affected match against Canterbury in the last round, but Auckland were worried about injuries to Tama Canning (shoulder/wrist), Andre Adams (back) and Kyle Mills (shoulder).

Coach Mark O'Donnell reported all three to be in good shape yesterday and they will line up against Central.

It will be Canning's first championship match of the season. Paul Hitchcock, who also has injury problems, is rested.

Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell is impressed with the Eden Park outer oval pitch and the home side look sure to bat if they win the toss.

Auckland benefited on a poor wicket in Hamilton in the opening round, where they secured their only victory in a low-scoring game against Northern Districts, but it was not the sort of victory O'Donnell was after.

"Good wickets are what we need in this country."

"We don't need to be getting results through dodgy wickets," he said.

"It's better to risk no result playing on good wickets. Bad wickets can give a false idea about players' abilities.

"I'm giving the Eden Park wicket the thumbs up. [Groundsman] Mark Perham really knows what he's doing.

"He had a few things to iron out when he came here from Carisbrook last year, but he's done an excellent job."

Leaders Auckland have relied heavily on Tim McIntosh in the batting department, with the left-hander having notched two centuries.

In other matches, Canterbury play Northern Districts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, and Otago are at home to Wellington.

* Points: Auckland 11, Canterbury 10, Wellington 6, Central Districts 4, Otago 3, Northern Districts 2.

* Auckland: Brooke Walker (capt), Tim McIntosh, Shane Singe, Llorne Howell, Matt Horne, Rob Nicol, Tama Canning, Aaron Barnes, Andre Adams, Kyle Mills, Reece Young, Kerry Walmsley.

* Central Districts: Glen Sulzberger (capt), Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Mathew Sinclair, Craig Spearman, Ross Taylor, Bevan Griggs, Regan West, Ewen Thompson, Michael Mason, Brent Hefford, Lance Hamilton.