Cricket: ND not far off place in Trophy final

By Terry Maddaford

Victory over Central Districts in Wanganui will almost certainly assure Northern Districts of a place in the Shell Trophy final.

Northern go into today's third round with a four-point lead over Central. A third outright in as many games would take them at least six points clear and in a strong position to play in next month's final.

With Matt Hart recalled for test duty, the ND selectors have included 29-year-old Rene Ferdinands for the game at Victoria Park. Ferdinands, poised for his first-class debut, has lived in Hamilton since 1993 after playing age-group cricket in Australia.

An allrounder in the Hart mould, Ferninands is the only newcomer in the ND Xl for the match.

Central have dropped opening batsman Glenn Milnes and promoted Campbell Furlong to join his captain, Craig Spearman, at the top of the order.

Auckland wicketkeeper Reece Young is set for his first-class debut at Dudley Park in Rangiora where the Aces meet Canterbury in a game vital to both sides.

Young and offspinner Tim Lythe have progressed from the under-19 side for the key match. Also included are Chris Drum, back from injury, and Stephen Lynch, who has won back his place in the top of the batting order.
Canterbury have a predictable line-up for a match which their coach, Garry MacDonald, predicts will produce an outright result.

"The pitch has a greenish look about it," he said. "Historically, it has been a result wicket."

In one change to the Otago side for the game against Wellington in Oamaru, Glenn Jonas, after passing a fitness test on Thursday night, has been included at the expense of medium-pace bowler Mark Billcliff.

Wellington have Richard Petrie and former Otago pace bowler Robert Kennedy back from injury.

Auckland: Blair Pocock, Bryan Young, Stephen Lynch, Lou Vincent, Richard King, Aaron Barnes, Brooke Walker, Reece Young, Kerry Walmsley, Mark Haslam, Chris Drum, Tim Lythe.

Canterbury: Brad Doody, Craig Cumming, Llorne Howell, Tim Pawson, Gary Stead, Gareth Hopkins, Mark Priest, Warren Wisneski, Stephen Cunis, Shane Bond, Carl Anderson, Chris Martin.

Northern Districts: James Marshall, Hamish Marshall, Mark Bailey, Michael Parlane, Neal Parlane, Grant Bradburn, Scott Styris, Robbie Hart, Joseph Yovich, Daryl Tuffey, Graeme Aldridge, Rene Ferdinands.

Central Districts: Craig Spearman, Campbell Furlong, Matt Sinclair, Jacob Oram, Mark Douglas, Glen Sulzberger, Martyn Sigley, Andrew Penn, David Blake, Lance Hamilton, Tim Anderson, Michael Mason.

Otago: Robert Lawson, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Lamont, Mark Richardson, Stephen Mather, Martyn Croy, David Sewell, Shayne O'Connor, Paul Wiseman, Glenn Jonas, Nathan Morland, Simon Forde.

Wellington: Grant Donaldson, Phil Chandler, Jason Wells, Richard Petrie, Robert Kennedy, Mark Jefferson, Chris Nevin, Tim Boyer, Heath Davis, Lance Dry, Leigh Kelly, Scott Golder.