Cricket: Wilson missing again

Jeff Wilson will be missing again when Otago play Central Districts at New Plymouth in their State Championship cricket match starting on Saturday.

Wilson had a bowl in the nets at Carisbrook yesterday but has still not fully shaken off the effects of his hamstring injury.

He will miss his third consecutive four-day match and his aim now was to be fit for the start of Otago's one-day campaign, against Canterbury in Alexandra on January 9.

"Jeff's not confident enough about his hamstring at the moment," coach Glenn Turner said.

"The feeling is that it's not worth risking it at the moment. We've got to look at the longer term."

However, fellow all-rounder Warren McSkimming, who missed the game against Wellington at Carisbrook because of a back strain, has been declared fit to play.

McSkimming comes in for captain and Black Caps batsman Craig Cumming in the only change to the 12 for the last game.

Rob Lawson will captain Otago, as he did in the first two rounds when Cumming was on tour in Pakistan, and Chris Gaffaney is likely to open the batting with Muhammad Wasim.

Otago team to play Central Districts: Rob Lawson (captain), Muhammad Wasim, Chris Gaffaney, Marcel McKenzie, Jordan Sheed, Gareth Hopkins, Warren McSkimming, Nathan McCullum, Nathan Morland, Bradley Scott, Neil Rushton, David Sewell.

- NZPA