Cricket: Will big spenders cash in?

Brad Hodge has been a success so far for ND in the HRV Cup. Photo / Getty Images

Watch carefully for the winner of this summer's HRV Cup - and check whether it is won by the big, flashy spenders or the under-stated, conservative selections.

The addition of the two-import rule means provinces have taken two approaches to overseas players. Some have called on 'big names' to play a handful of games to help win the tournament and buy entry to the rich Champions League. Others have opted for consistent recruits to play the entire time and potentially gel better into a squad.

Northern Districts (Brad Hodge, Herschelle Gibbs, David Hussey, David Warner), Canterbury (potentially Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes) and Wellington (Brett Lee, Damien Wright, Luke Wright) have invested more money in higher-profile international players and will be hoping to haul in bigger crowds.

The likes of Central Districts (English county cricketers Michael Yardy, Ian Blackwell), Auckland (Andre Adams and another county cricketer, Jimmy Adams) and Otago (English all-rounders Chris Nash and Darren Stevens) have carefully researched form and attitude on more conservative gambits to achieve the same outcome.

The Champions League is worth it as the ultimate prize. Teams get US$200,000 for participating, US$500,000 for making the semifinals and US$2.5 million if they win.

New Zealand teams have been poorly represented at the first two editions by Otago and Central Districts. Neither side won a game, making it imperative this changes if New Zealand Cricket want to retain a place long term. Yet many argue the Champions League selection system is flawed. Otago got to use their import Dimitri Mascarenhas in 2009 but this year CD missed the services of Ross Taylor because Bangalore had first dibs.

It's hard to get a gauge so early in the competition, with every team but Otago getting a win to date. But it may be that ND's celebrity-based approach looks the most promising so far, with the Black Caps yet to return.

The assembling of an all-star international T20 batting cast holds merit when complemented by a bowling attack which, at any one time, could include Daniel Vettori, Brent Arnel, Tim Southee and Scott Styris. Buoyed by two titles last season (the Plunket Shield and one-day championship), a strong balance sheet and loyal, wealthy sponsors, ND have been foremost in revolutionising the provincial cricketing landscape. They have established strong links with Queensland and the Sydney club competition in the past couple of years but their expansive approach will only be truly justified if they win the tournament for the first time.

Champions League representation could have further benefits. That's because if, for example, Vettori is recruited again by the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL and they earn a place in the Champions League along with ND, Delhi would pay ND a further US$200,000 for the privilege of his services.

Yardy and Blackwell put on 76 in a match-changing fourth wicket partnership to help CD to victory over ND in the opening game. Yet they failed in the next match's chase against Auckland. Andre Adams rifled through CD with five wickets for 20 runs and Jimmy Adams clipped 23 off 18 balls.

Damien Wright was invaluable taking two for 10 in Wellington's win over Otago but Luke Wright's 45 off 31 could not prevent a loss against Canterbury. Dutchman Ryan ten Doeschate earned his salary in that match with two for 21 and a better-than-run-a-ball 41 but fast bowler Mitchell Claydon was dispatched for 40 runs with just one wicket recouped.

The Adams namesakes failed in Auckland's woeful 74 against Northern Districts - which hardly made Hussey's 36-hour stay worth it. He hit 17 off 10 and took none for 14. Hodge has been effective with 140 runs at a strike rate of 133. He's also chipped in with a couple of wickets.

THE OFFSHORE STARS

* Auckland: Andre Adams (New Zealand but living overseas), Jimmy Adams (England).

* Northern Districts: Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa), Brad Hodge, David Hussey, David Warner (all Australia).

* Central Districts: Michael Yardy, Ian Blackwell (both England).

* Wellington: Brett Lee, Damien Wright, Mark Cleary (all Australia), Luke Wright (England).

* Canterbury: Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes, Mitchell Claydon (all Australia), Johan van der Wath (South Africa), Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands).

* Otago: Darren Stevens, Chris Nash (both England).

THE HRV CHAMPIONS

* Central Districts: 2007-08, 2009-10.

* Canterbury: 2005-06.

* Auckland: 2006-07.

* Otago: 2008-09