Cricket: ND keep ranks tight to close in for kill

Here's a surprise: Northern Districts, 10 points clear at the top of the Plunket Shield table, have named an unchanged squad to play bottom-placed Auckland at Whangarei starting today.

And why wouldn't you, considering ND, already with the national one-day title in their cabinet this season and sailing along in fine shape, are closing in on the first-class title.

Their easy win over hapless Wellington last weekend, inside three days, increased their margin over their closest pursuers.

ND's only injury worry is batsman Michael Parlane, who has a sore calf muscle. Brad Wilson is on standby if the veteran does not recover.

A look at the first-class numbers for the season is interesting. ND don't have a single batsman inside the top 15 on run aggregates - translation: they're all chipping in when required - but Graeme Aldridge (31 wickets) and Brent Arnel (26) are second and third among wicket takers.

Auckland, who had hoped to make progress up the table, after an awful pre-Christmas period, remain eight points adrift at the bottom after losing to Otago in the seventh round.

They have made two changes to their 12, and at least one player will make his first-class debut.

Fast bowler Dean Bartlett replaces Lance Shaw, and batsman Dusan Hakaraia is in with national under-19 representative Jimmy Neesham dropping out.

Both are contemplating a debut, with Bartlett more likely to start given the composition of the 12.

"Obviously the [ND] Knights are playing very well at the moment, however we're still confident we've got the side to take away some points," Auckland coach Paul Strang said.

For opener Tim McIntosh it will be a final chance to polish up his game ahead of the first test against Australia in Wellington, starting next Friday.

The tall lefthander has averaged 92.8 from three shield games this season.

And it will be another opportunity for the promising Jeet Raval to reinforce his potential. He is averaging 63.28 with 443 runs from his four games.

Otago host Canterbury in Queenstown and must win to stay on ND's tail.

They are without international Aaron Redmond, fast-bowling spearhead Neil Wagner and fast-medium James McMillan because of injury. Darron Broom, veteran seamer Warren McSkimming and debutant James Fuller come in.

Central Districts have dropped ODI opener Peter Ingram back for their game against Wellington in Napier.

PLUNKET SHIELD

Seventh round, all start 10.30am today

* Northern Districts v Auckland, Whangarei
* Central Districts v Wellington, Napier
* Otago v Canterbury, Queenstown
* Points after seven rounds: ND 36, Otago 26, CD 26, Canterbury 20, Wellington 16, Auckland 8