KEY POINTS:
Summer begins tomorrow _ in the minds of cricket followers at least. The State Championship might not have the cachet of the glory days of the Plunket Shield and Shell Trophy, where internationals actually turned out for their provinces, but at least there's something on the wireless after another winter of aural discontent.
As for the winners, it is notoriously hard to pick, but Canterbury look well balanced. They have run-scoring machines at this level _ Michael Papps and Peter Fulton, plus Johann Myburgh and Shanan Stewart. They have genuine pace in Hamish Bennett, plus wicket-taking Leighton Burtt and Brandon Hiini.
Central Districts will get their runs too, mainly from Mathew Sinclair and Greg Hay, with the consistent Tim Weston and Peter Ingram also in the line-up. And then there are their internationals _ Jamie How, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram.
They have an intriguing bowling attack with Richard Sherlock hoping to have an injury-free season, and legspinner Robbie Schaw.
Otago's South African acquisition, pace bowler Neil Wagner, might hold the key to their fortunes, and they'll need big seasons from Neil Broom, Craig Cumming and Greg Todd.
Perhaps the most interesting team is Northern Districts, who have added Otago's left-arm seamer Bradley Scott and veteran Michael Parlane to a squad full of undeveloped talent, like BJ Watling and Kane Williamson.
Wellington and Auckland both look a little light but are well coached.
Three with eyes on a bigger prize:
Greg Hay (CD)
Hay has the gift of time, meaning he can play off the back foot and can work straight balls for ones and twos through the leg side, relative rarities among New Zealand batsmen. If Brendon McCullum moved down to his more natural batting position he would seem a natural for No 5, and might even put pressure on Daniel Flynn for six, though the selectors like having that left-handed bat in the middle order.
Nathan McCullum (Otago)
McCullum had a terrific `A' tour to India and has added an off-field maturity to on-field enthusiasm. Otago coach Mike Hesson believes that when Lou Vincent is not around, McCullum takes the mantle of best fielder in the country and he is just a couple more centuries away from allrounder status. Will challenge Jeetan Patel for the second spinner's berth this season.
Hamish Bennett (Canterbury)
New Zealand is crying out for real pace and Bennett last year appeared the quickest contenders. Takes wickets with bad balls, which is not a bad thing, but that sort of largesse is in short supply in the international arena.
Three big bats:
Mathew Sinclair (CD)
Sinclair scores runs at this level because he has always been sure of his place and clearly revels in that job security. Another prolific season will again demonstrate how badly the New Zealand selectors missed the boat four years ago. By the time they got on the boat last year, Sinclair's temperament had sprung too many leaks.
Johann Myburgh (Canterbury)
Good judges predict that time is the only thing preventing Myburgh playing for New Zealand. He still has two seasons before he is eligible for national selection. Composed and compact, if you don't get Myburgh early (he has a nasty habit of falling first ball) you could be in for a long day of leather chasing.
Matthew Bell (Wellington)
You think he might lack motivation? He must compare his treatment last season with that being meted out to Aaron Redmond and wonder if he was caught spitting in John Bracewell's porridge. Just in case you need reminding: Bell in two tests against Bangladesh 128 runs, 1 century, average 64; Redmond in two tests against Bangladesh 130 runs, 1 half century, average 43.3; Bell in three tests against England 117 runs, 1 half century, average 19.5; Redmond in three tests against England 54 runs, average 9. If you were a Martian and had to pick which was flying with the national team to Australia tomorrow and which was banished to the wilderness, or the Village Green, you'd no doubt get it wrong.
Three golden arms:
Neil Wagner (Otago)
Wagner could turn Otago into an automatic contender if he continues at his current rate of a first-class wicket every 18.3 runs. The left-arm paceman promises to be one of the more intriguing sights. Hesson is excited by the prospect of a Wagner-led attack, while others are less understandably excited about whether Bryan Waddle and Rockin' Ron Snowden pronounce him `Vaarg-nah' as in Richard, or `Wag-na' as in Robert.
Bradley Scott (ND)
Scott could well be a difference maker for ND who have a talented bunch of youngsters but few guiding hands when the New Zealand players are away. Scott will be expected to bowl a lot of overs, just as he did for Otago. After a spot of number crunching it was determined Scott was the most valuable player in domestic cricket last year. ND will hope that continues.
James Franklin (Wgtn)
If he has his way, Franklin won't be bowling too many overs for Wellington before he is back in the New Zealand side. A fit and firing Franklin would be a valuable addition to the national cause, with his left-arm variety and handy runs in the lower order. When he's playing well he swings it late, when he's not swinging it he's too expensive.
Three rookies to watch:
Trent Boult (ND)
On first look for the u-19s against a Players' Association XI last season Boult looked slightly innocuous but the wheeze is that he has a bit about him and will not be overawed by his more seasoned opponents. Boult, 19, was a surprise selection on the `A' tour to India last month and picked up both Indian openers in the second innings of the first `test'. He can bat a bit as well. In an association that churns out young talent _ read Kane Williamson, BJ Watling _ Boult may end up stealing their limelight.
Cam Merchant (ND)
Not strictly a rookie and not strictly a New Zealander, but who cares. The left-handed Merchant, 24, played four games for ND since arriving from Manly last year after doors appeared to be shutting on an international career in Australia. Having a mum from Mt Maunganui means he qualifies as a fair dinkum Kiwi. Better still, he can bat. Left-handed too. Now there's an international team out there who could do with a leftie at the top of the order. Who is it? Ah, that's right...
Andrew de Boorder (Auckland)
The younger brother of Otago keeper Derek, de Boorder oozed class at age-group level. Like Merchant he has played four first-class games and scored 88 in his first knock at this level. He should be a mainstay of the Auckland line-up for years to come.
