Cricket: Walmsley back to give Otago much-needed firepower

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Former test fast bowler Kerry Walmsley will return to first-class action when Otago meet Canterbury in Christchurch tomorrow.

Otago, well beaten by Northern Districts in the opening round of the State Championship, have brought in Walmsley for Bradley Scott, who was 12th man for the last game.

The former Aucklander will provide Otago with much-needed firepower against an unchanged Canterbury side, who had to be content with first-innings points against Wellington in Rangiora.

"While we haven't named the playing XI yet, Walmsley is set to play," Otago coach Glenn Turner said yesterday.

Canterbury have retained their 13-man squad for the game at the Village Green on a pitch described by Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe as a "hard belter."

Ryan Burson was 12th man and Shannon Stewart was left out for the last game in which Wellington, 29 for seven at one stage in their first innings, escaped with a draw.

"There were a few broken hearts in Rangiora," Wellington coach Vaughn Johnston said.

"At 29 for seven your opponents should win, and in the end we were pleased to get out of it."

Auckland have taken the same 12 players who comprehensively beat Central Districts at Eden Park to Wellington for the match at the Basin Reserve. Wellington also have an unchanged team.

Interestingly, Auckland, with Mark Haslam, and Wellington, with Mark Jefferson, named spin bowlers as their 12th men in the first round.

In one enforced change, Central Districts have brought in untried Marlborough opening batsman John Nelson to replace injured fast bowler Ewen Thompson, who broke a bone in his forearm while batting in CD's first innings.

"We will be better for the game at Eden Park," Central coach Dipak Patel said. "While we were disappointed to lose in the way we did, we have to remind ourselves it was only the first game of the season."

Northern Districts have an unchanged squad for the match at Blenheim's Horton Park. Simon Doull was 12th man at Carisbrook.

Squads for second round matches:

Wellington v Auckland, Basin Reserve

Auckland: Brooke Walker (capt), Andre Adams, Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Chris Drum, Mark Haslam, Matt Horne, Nick Horsley, Tim McIntosh, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Reece Young.

Wellington: Richard Jones (capt), Phil Chandler, Grant Donaldson, Selwyn Blackmore, Rhys Morgan, Chris Nevin, James Franklin, Matthew Walker, Andrew Penn, Ash Turner, Jeetan Patel, Mark Jefferson.

Central Districts v Northern Districts, Horton Park

Northern Districts: Robbie Hart (capt), Scott Styris, James Marshall, Hamish Marshall, Mark Bailey, Matthew Hart, Grant Bradburn, Simon Doull, Graeme Aldridge, Bruce Martin, Ian Butler, Joseph Yovich.

Central Districts: Ben Smith (capt), David Kelly, Richard Scragg, Richard King, Jamie How, John Nelson, Campbell Furlong, Bevan Griggs, Andrew Schwass, Michael Mason, Brent Hefford, Lance Hamilton.

Canterbury v Otago, Village Green

Canterbury (from): Gary Stead (capt), Brad Doody, Jarrod Englefield, Michael Papps, Chris Harris, Aaron Redmond, Shannon Stewart, Gareth Hopkins, Paul Wiseman, Warren Wisneski, Stephen Cunis, Wade Cornelius, Ryan Burson.

Otago: Lee Germon (capt), Martyn Croy, Craig Cumming, Chris Gaffaney, Andrew Hore, Robbie Lawson, Brendon McCullum, Evan Marshall, Craig Pryor, Kerry Walmsley, David Sewell, Rob Smith.