Cricket: Wellington face final without Fleming

Wellington are resigned to being without New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming for next week's State Championship final but will not be surprised if Canterbury arrive at the Basin Reserve with at least three of their five Black Caps.

New Zealand Cricket told Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson a fortnight ago to forget having Fleming for the domestic decider as he would be rested after the one-day series against South Africa.

But Canterbury are likely to have opener Michael Papps, wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum and recalled allrounder Chris Harris for the four-dayer from Thursday.

Chris Cairns and Craig McMillan may also choose to use the final as a competitive net in the countdown to the first of three tests against the Proteas in Hamilton from March 10.

Johnson is philosophical about Fleming's unavailability.

"I was told Fleming would be rested and that's totally understandable," he said.

"It'll be interesting to see who Canterbury have but we're going well."

Wellington qualified top to earn home advantage for the final despite their final round-robin game against Otago petering out to a draw.

Heavy rain meant play was abandoned on Saturday without a ball bowled, while Wellington bowled just 39 overs after a delayed start yesterday before the match was called off with Otago 231 for three in reply to the host's 482 for nine declared.

For once Wellington were helped by the foul summer weather, with Canterbury's match against Northern Districts washed out without a ball being bowled in Gisborne yesterday.

No play was possible over the weekend in New Plymouth where Auckland needed to beat Central Districts outright to have any chance of reaching the final.

Canterbury's hopes of gaining home advantage had already gone when they were forced to follow on after being dismissed for 215 in reply to Northern's 434.

Canterbury had reached 136 for three in the second innings by stumps.

There seemed little point playing on at the Basin but Johnson wanted to give his attack a workout after their wayward bowling in the final session on Friday when Otago raced to 154 for two off 37 overs.

- NZPA