Cricket: O'Connor seeking NZ recall

Shayne O'Connor resumes his bid to regain his place in the New Zealand cricket team when Otago play Auckland at Eden Park in Auckland starting today.

It has been a frustrating season for O'Connor, who was called into the New Zealand side for the abandoned first test against India in December but has not been summoned since.

Simon Doull returned from injury to be the outstanding bowler of the series against India, while Canterbury left-armer Geoff Allott overtook O'Connor in the pecking order during the Shell Cup.

O'Connor now has two four-day Shell Trophy matches - the other will be against Northern Districts in Taupo - to impress the national selectors before the first test against South Africa starts on February 27.

New Zealand convener of selectors Ross Dykes said last weekend that O'Connor was still in the frame, but Wellington speedster Carl Bulfin has joined the queue of bowlers pressing hard for national selection.

Otago: Robbie Lawson (captain), Chris Gaffaney, Michael Lamont, Mark Richardson, Stephen Mather, Simon Forde, Martyn Croy, Mark Billcliff, Paul Wiseman, Shayne O'Connor, David Sewell, Nathan Morland. One to be omitted.

Auckland: Blair Pocock (captain), Bryan Young, Aaron Barnes, Richard Jones, Lou Vincent, Ian Billcliff, Richard King, Jason Mills, Kyle Mills, Brooke Walker, Richard Morgan, Chris Drum, Mark Haslam. Two to be omitted. - NZPA