Cricket: Soggy start for region's club cricket

Weather and other conditions permitting, Auckland's club cricketers will start their new season with the first of 24 matches - in various forms - this morning.

Given the uncertainty of the overhead and underfoot conditions, the Cricket Express-sponsored Twenty20 competition will again be played on artificial pitches with premier matches scheduled for Keith Hay Park and Cornwall Park.

The 12 premier teams will play in two sections over five rounds to find the finalists to meet at Lloyd Elsmore Park on October 17. Papatoetoe, now without player-coach and former international Matt Horne, will defend the title. Gareth Shaw will captain the defending champions, who now have Thushan Dodampegamage as coach.

The Twenty20 competition will be followed by the limited overs championship in which Howick Pakuranga are defending champions.

Parnell, captained by Doug Winger with Ian Trott as coach, now boast the Auckland captain in their ranks after Gareth Hopkins' elevation by new Auckland Aces coach Paul Strang.

"I see club cricket as very important," said Strang, who has followed Mark O'Donnell into the role.

"Unlike some associations who have district cricket as a stepping stone, we only have club play so it is important for our players and us as selectors."

The 50-over competition will be followed by the two-day championship from November 14 until March 27 after which there will be a competition review as part of Auckland's four-yearly plan. Suburbs New Lynn hold the two-day championship title.

KEY DATES

Oct 3: First round Cricket Express Twenty20
Oct 17: Finals Cricket Express Twenty20 (premier/reserve grades)
Oct 24, 31, Nov 7, 22, Dec 6: Pool play limited overs championship
Jan 17, 24, 31: quarter-finals/semifinals limited overs championship
Feb 21: final limited overs championship (premier/reserve grades)
Nov 14-21, Nov 28-Dec 5, Dec 12-19, Jan 9-16, 23-30: first round two-day championship
Feb 6-7, 13-20, Feb 27-Mar 6, 13-14, 20-27: second (final) round two day championship (premier/reserve grades)