Cricket: Washout tests cricket depth

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Yesterday's first cricket test washout had implications far beyond Eden Park.

The Northern Districts and Otago teams in Gisborne for their outstanding fourth-round Shell Trophy clash had hoped to play Simon Doull (ND) and Matt Horne and Paul Wiseman (Otago) but with those players still required in Auckland, they have had to look elsewhere.

Shayne O'Connor, 12th man for the test, has, however, been released and will be at Harry Barker Reserve this morning to spearhead the Otago attack.

With Mark Richardson unavailable and Horne out, the Otago top-order batting has been reshuffled, with captain Robbie Lawson to open with Andrew Hore.

Young Hayden Anderson has been drafted into the team and will bat at three. Simon Forde has also come into the 12 from whom the playing XI will be named.

Without Doull - Daniel Vettori was never a consideration - Northern are likely to go into the match with the same XI who played well against Australia last week, with Alex Tait again set to carry the drinks.

New Zealand selector Ross Dykes had been keen for the trio to play as he will be in Gisborne to watch the game before he and fellow selectors Rick Pickard and David Trist name their team for the second test, which starts in Wellington on Friday week.

Northern go into the match in joint-second place with Central Districts on 14 points, two behind leaders Auckland, who have already played their fourth-round game.

Outright points would assure Northern of a place in the final, while Otago, who are on eight points, must take maximum points to keep their hopes alive.

Northern have won two of their three matches outright with some solid all-round efforts spearheaded by good batting and tight bowling.

Otago have had one outright and one first-innings win but will need a top performance on a ground which usually produces a runfest if they are to pick up points over the next four days.

Northern Districts: James Marshall, Michael Parlane, Mark Bailey, Neal Parlane, Hamish Marshall, Joseph Yovich, Grant Bradburn, Scott Styris, Robbie Hart (capt), Alex Tait, Bruce Martin, Daryl Tuffey.

Otago: Andrew Hore, Robbie Lawson (capt), Hayden Anderson, Chris Gaffaney, Stephen Mather, Brendon McCullum, Nathan Morland, Warren McSkimming, Glenn Jonas, Shayne O'Connor, David Sewell, Simon Forde.