Cricket: Parore missing from Auckland on 'rest' leave

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Parore, dropped from his New Zealand one-day role, is again missing from the Auckland line-up heading into today's match against Northern Districts at Eden Park.

Auckland coach Tony Sail said he had been advised by Auckland Cricket chief executive Lindsay Crocker that "New Zealand Cricket want Parore to continue to rest".

There remains the feeling that Parore will be expected to play in next week's game against Otago if he is to be considered, as seems certain, as wicketkeeper for the three-test series with England.

Dion Nash is also missing from today's State Championship game but Sail hopes that he might be available for the next round.

With Kyle Mills and now young Gareth Shaw sidelined by injury, the Auckland selectors have called in medium-pace bowler Sanjeeva Silva, who played a couple of games for Central Districts last season.

Tama Canning and Llorne Howell face fitness tests before the start of play on the outer oval this morning.

Northern have retained the same 12 players who went down to Wellington in Hamilton, for today's match.

Central Districts, spurred by their easy win over Otago in Alexandra, have stuck with the same 12 players for today's game against Canterbury in Christchurch.

Canterbury, thumped by an innings in Auckland, have Michael Papps and Wade Cornelius back from injury but are without Warren Wisneski in their 13-man squad.

"We are keen to bounce back from that loss," said Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe.

"We were probably only one partnership away from winning at Eden Park."

Wellington go into their game against Otago at the Basin Reserve without suspended captain Matthew Bell and English professional David Sales, who has returned home, but buoyed by their one-wicket win over Northern.

They have brought in rookie batsmen Luke Woodcock and Sam Fairley. Woodcock is likely to open the innings with stand-in captain Richard Jones.

Otago coach Glenn Turner is without pace bowler Kerry Walmsley, whose place goes to Neil Rushton.

Obviously disappointed that his team have lost five games in a row, including the massive 425-run loss in Alexandra, Turner said: "I'm probably not feeling as bad as England at the moment."

Auckland go into the sixth round on 19 points, three clear of Canterbury. Wellington have 15, Northern 14, Central 12 and Otago four.