Cricket: Win boosts Auckland confidence ahead of CD clash

It's onwards and upwards as far as Auckland captain Richard Jones is concerned as his team prepare to make their presence felt in the domestic one-day competition.

Having been the whipping boys over the last year, Auckland won their second game in the last 14 when they beat Northern Districts in a Duckworth Lewis rain-adjusted contest at Eden Park on Wednesday.

They play Central Districts in the opening game of round five in Nelson today, buoyed by that win, which was inspired by Paul Hitchcock's maiden one-day century.

"Every win you get is a confidence booster," Jones said yesterday.

"It was great to see the guys put together what we have been trying to do in training."

Shorn of several international players through injury, including batsmen Lou Vincent and Scott Styris, allrounder Andre Adams and new-ball bowler Kyle Mills, Auckland have had to lean on youth more than they might have anticipated.

New Zealand under-19 player Martin Guptill is one who has made a tidy start, with scores of 28 (out of a shabby 100 against Canterbury) and 24 not out in his two games, and spinner Tim Lythe turned in a tidy eight overs for 29 on debut against Northern.

"That's quite exciting," Jones said of the newcomers this season. "We've got the vitality of the young guys coming in, and with a clean slate they've got everything to gain and they're coming in with a bit of form."

Auckland still trail the field on four points, but Jones, who hit 41 in a fine 122-run opening stand with Hitchcock to help set up the win over Northern, has a simple philosophy.

"It's the same old thing. If we can keep on winning we'll put ourselves in a good position."

Auckland have made one change in their 12, former international Matt Horne returning in place of out-of-touch Tim McIntosh.

Central, who thrashed Canterbury by nine wickets in Christchurch, are fourth on seven points. They have several batsmen in good touch and a solid, experienced seam attack. They have named an unchanged 12.

Canterbury host table-topping Otago and Wellington meet Northern in the capital in the other fifth round games tomorrow.

Points: Otago 15, Wellington 12, Canterbury 9, CD 7, ND 5, Auckland 4. ONE-DAY COMPETITION

Central Districts v Auckland; Nelson, noon today.

Central Districts: Jarrod Englefield (c), Jamie How, Geoff Barnett, Ross Taylor, Mathew Sinclair, Bevan Griggs, Evan Thompson, Lance Hamilton, Greg Hegglun, Brendon Diamanti, Michael Mason, Brent Hefford.

Auckland: Richard Jones (c), Matt Horne, Paul Hitchcock, Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Tama Canning, Carl Cachopa, Reece Young, Mayu Pasupati, Tim Lythe, Kerry Walmsley, Chris Martin.