Domestic cricket preview: Northern Districts

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Northern have their sights set on defending their shield title but coach Bruce Blair is also looking for something better in the four-day championship.

"We want to win that but to achieve it we know we have to be more consistent with bat and ball," said Blair. "We have done a lot of work upstaging our strengths and weaknesses.

"With the squad we have, there is enough pressure to ensure selection will not be a closed shop.

"I'm not overly confident but I'm sufficiently confident in what I have seen to look forward to a good season.

"One of the problems in having five contracted New Zealand players is having to manage the players who miss out when they are available. It is not easy for those players sitting on the sideline."

Blair said he was happy with the new format of one full round of five matches followed three matches in a truncated second round with a final.

"It won't be a lot different. Last season we lost eight days play in the four-day competition.

"That was 800 missed overs. With no rain this summer we will have as much cricket as we had last time."

Robbie Hart will continue his long rein as ND captain.

IN: -

OUT: Simon Andrews (to Otago), David Kelly (to Canterbury), Michael Parlane (to Wellington).

SQUAD: Robbie Hart, Gareth West, Graeme Aldridge, Grant Robinson, Matthew Hart, James Marshall, Hamish Marshall, Nick Horsley, Scott Styris, Gareth Irwin, Mark Orchard, Bruce Martin, Daniel Vettori, Joseph Yovich, Daryl Tuffey, Ian Butler.

COACH: Bruce Blair.