Cricket: Wellington look to Franklin

Fallen star James Franklin believes his bowling is on the way back and Wellington will be anxious that it arrives today for their semifinal at the Basin Reserve against Northern Districts.

Two years ago Franklin was a Black Cap at the age of 20, but last month he was banished to the provincial second XI side.

Everybody has a theory on why Franklin has not been performing, but shoulder, groin and abdominal injuries have prevented him establishing any rhythm and confidence this summer.

They have also cost him the ability to swing the ball. But there have been signs in his last two games that some of the old magic is about to return.

Franklin is the first to acknowledge he has not been performing with the new ball.

"The last couple of months have been the hardest of my short career, and no- one has been more disappointed than me that I haven't been able to do my bit for the team.

"I've been training hard, but getting nothing for it in the middle. I've kept persisting and hopefully one performance will get me around the corner, and one more will get me in the home straight."

Franklin believes more aggression in his run-up has led to improvements in his past two outings.

Conditions for the State Shield clash today are unlikely to be helpful to the bowlers.

The surface was glued yesterday in an attempt to reduce movement and prevent the small cracks widening, which leads to inconsistent bounce.

Wellington's strength in recent times has been their ability to defend meagre totals and they have also had the wood on Northern, though Black Cap Daniel Vettori fired the side to a 43-run victory in round five when he smashed 89 as an opener.

Wellington skipper Matthew Bell also hinted yesterday at his players wanting to make a point to the national selectors.

Despite being the form one-day team over the past two years, only Stephen Fleming made the World Cup cut.

"We feel players such as Chris Nevin, Paul Hitchcock and Matthew Walker deserve higher honours, but the only thing we can do about that is to keep winning," Bell said.

Hitchcock did not train yesterday because of a side strain, but is confident of playing.

Northern have brought in Nick Horsley for the injured Matthew Hart.

Coach Bruce Blair brushed off the loss of his international trio of Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey and Vettori, saying three of their five round-robin wins came when the Blacks Caps were playing India.

The winners play Auckland in the final at North Harbour Stadium's outer oval from 10am on Saturday.

Wellington (from): Matthew Bell (captain), Chris Nevin, Richard Jones, Neal Parlane, Grant Donaldson, Matthew Walker, Paul Hitchcock, Mayu Pasupati, Mark Jefferson, James Franklin, Ashley Turner, Mark Gillespie.

Northern Districts (from): Robbie Hart (captain), Michael Parlane, James Marshall, Hamish Marshall, David Kelly, Joseph Yovich, Mark Orchard, Bruce Martin, Graeme Aldridge, Ian Butler, Gareth West, Nick Horsley.

- NZPA