Cricket: Parore poised to miss finals

By RICHARD BOOCK

Auckland will be without injured test wicket-keeper Adam Parore for the Shell Cup finals against Canterbury - which start at Eden Park tomorrow.

Parore is today set to be ruled out of contention for the inaugural best-of-three series by New Zealand Cricket's medical staff, and will probably need another week's recuperation before beginning preparations for the international series against Australia.

NZC spokesman Gilbert Enoka said yesterday an official announcement on Parore - who has torn a thigh muscle - would be left until today, but Auckland last night gave an indication of their understanding of the situation by leaving the gloveman out of their squad for the finals.

Enoka said while he did not wish to pre-empt any decision on Parore, he was pessimistic about his chances of being cleared to play when there was an unnecessary risk of aggravating his condition.

Auckland have instead moved to strengthen their batting for the showdown with Canterbury, handing the gloves to usual top-order batsman Lou Vincent, and calling in former New Zealand one-day specialist Llorne Howell to open the batting.

Howell missed the first round of the Shell Cup, but played in the next three before being sidelined by an infected elbow, and only indicated his readiness to return to the fray on Monday, when he struck 65 for his East Coast Bays club side.

The 27-year-old right-hander will effectively replace Reece Young from the side who pipped Northern Districts in the semi-final.

Auckland's attack could have done with Nash as a bowling option as well, but have Chris Drum, Kyle Mills, Andre Adams and Brooke Walker in strong form and a couple of useful all-rounders in Barnes and Tama Canning.

Auckland: Blair Pocock (capt), Llorne Howell, John Aiken, Lou Vincent, Dion Nash, Tama Canning, Kyle Mills, Andre Adams, Brooke Walker, Chris Drum, Richard King.