KEY POINTS:
Banishing a bunch of grim memories from last season will be at the top of the priority list for Auckland and Northern Districts when they start their first-class campaigns today.
Auckland, fifth in the State Championship and bottom in the one-day shield competition last season, and Northern Districts, who finished in the reverse spots, will play Otago and Canterbury respectively a few kilometres apart.
Auckland are at Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln, Northern play Canterbury at Rangiora.
The championship began with Otago belting 601 for nine against Canterbury last week, led by a spanking 160 by Greg Todd, who was having his first serious innings since breaking a leg badly last season.
Fast bowler James McMillan bagged seven wickets in a strong display, but Auckland will field several internationals and should hit the pitch running.
Batsman Lou Vincent, new ball bowler Chris Martin and one-day internationals Tama Canning and Andre Adams are in the team, with experienced English county player Mal Loye, who averages over 41, with 38 first-class centuries for Northamptonshire and Lancashire. Loye warmed up with a century in the practice game against ND last week.
Auckland's only championship win last season came in the final game, a four-wicket victory over Otago, which was a case of too little, far too late.
"We're confident heading into this game but it's vital we nail the mental aspect of how we want to play four-day cricket in order to be successful," coach Mark O'Donnell said yesterday.
ND will be led by Daniel Vettori and have a new coach, former Warwickshire and Griqualand West opener Andy Moles, who has done coaching stints in Kenya, Scotland and with England's under-19 team.
They are without Nick Horsley, Te Ahu Davis and Bruce Martin due to injury but welcome back former New Zealand fast bowler Daryl Tuffey, who missed last season with injury.
"He had a really good bowl the last two days," Moles said yesterday. "Last season, by their own admission, the boys missed a bit of penetration, which Daryl can supply. To have him back is a great lift for the side."
Moles, an opening batsman who hit 29 first-class centuries, is on a two-year deal. He said he would not be waving a big stick over his players.
"To try and impose myself on an experienced group of players would be totally wrong," he said.
"My main thing is impressing on the side they must be positive in their attitude and enjoy their cricket. We want to adopt a winning habit as soon as possible, and an expectancy to win, not just play good cricket."
Canterbury have included New Zealand speedster Shane Bond for the match.
* New Wellington captain Michael Parlane responded to his promotion with a fighting half-century after his team suffered early setbacks in their match against Central Districts in Wellington yesterday.
Despite the initial difficulties Wellington would have expected more from their first innings than 296 but a late collapse saw the last five wickets fall for 12 runs. By stumps on the opening day of the four-day fixture, reigning champions Central Districts had responded with 42 for one, having lost Jamie How for 12.
HOW THEY LINE UP
* Auckland v Otago, Lincoln
Auckland: Richard Jones (c), Tim McIntosh, Mal Loye, Lou Vincent, Rob Nicol, Tama Canning, Reece Young, Andre Adams, Lance Shaw, Roneel Hira, Chris Martin, Martin Guptill (one to be omitted).
Otago: Craig Cumming (c), Jordan Sheed, Greg Todd, Aaron Redmond, Neil Broom, Gareth Hopkins, Kyle Hogg, Nathan McCullum, Brad Scott, Craig Smith, James McMillan.
* Canterbury v Northern Districts, Rangiora
Canterbury: Chris Harris (c), Todd Astle, Brendon McCullum, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Peter Fulton, Shanan Stewart, Leighton Burtt, Amandeep Singh, Chris Small, Shane Bond, Brandon Hiini (one to be omitted).
Northern Districts: Daniel Vettori (c), James Marshall, Alun Evans, Hamish Marshall, Daniel Flynn, B J Watling, Joseph Yovich, Mark Orchard, Peter McGlashan, Daryl Tuffey, Graeme Aldridge, Brent Arnel (one to be omitted).
