KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Aces face a tough task if they are to improve on last season's double-title winning season when domestic cricket comes out of hibernation on Monday.
Auckland dominated the short forms of the game last season, taking out the one-day and the Twenty20 competitions.
They didn't, however, fare so well in the area where their coach, Mark O'Donnell, had believed their real strength lay - the four-day State championship.
"Prior to last year I would have said that we were a better four-day side than a one-day side," O'Donnell said.
But on reflection, with eight experienced hands - including six internationals - having left the province in recent seasons, O'Donnell admitted his youth-studded side had probably lacked the experience necessary for a serious tilt at the championship crown.
They came fourth, with a two-win, three-draw, three-loss record.
"Over the four days, [experience] is probably what gets you through," he said.
"You've just got to take your opportunities. We were right in it right up until the last game. We messed up a game against Canterbury where we should have picked up points."
That six-run third-round loss, combined with earlier draws against Otago and Wellington, meant Auckland faced an uphill battle for much of last season's campaign.
O'Donnell knows a better start will be vital if his side are to contend this season. It will also be crucial for players hoping to press for higher honours in a season when the Black Caps are likely to play only the Twenty20 competition.
"It is really about people taking their opportunities, and it starts from game one, not taking three or four rounds to get into it."
Auckland will be boosted by the presence of Black Caps Kyle Mills and Gareth Hopkins for Monday's trip to Canterbury but, once the pair leave for the ODI series in South Africa, the side will again sport a youthful look. Having broken through in recent seasons, much is expected of the likes of Zimbabwean-born batsman Colin De Grandholme and South African-born Pieter Erasmus.
Mayu Pasupati, who has taken up work in Sydney, is the major loss to the side, while the status of Daryl Tuffey, who has been linked to the Indian Cricket League, is unclear.
Andre Adams will be expected to lead a young attack, but there is an experienced core to the batting.
Richard Jones, who scored 630 runs at 45 last year, will once again captain the side. He will be supported by Rob Nichol, who topped the team's batting averages last year with 519 runs at 51.9.
Opener Tim McIntosh is another stalwart of the side. A player who has at times flattered to deceive since making an impressive maiden century against a Shane Bond-led Canterbury attack in 2000, McIntosh has scored at least one century in six of the last sevens seasons.
He began last year with a double century in his first innings against Otago but managed only 217 more runs in the season to post an average a shade above 29.
"I think he has got 10 first-class hundreds now and the Auckland record is only 12," O'Donnell said.
"But he has got to do it more consistently. He does it once or twice a season and that is it.
"I think there are a couple of test openers' slots up for grabs this summer, so it is a big year for him in a lot of ways.
"Michael Papps got back in [the Black Caps] through sheer weight of domestic runs, so if guys do well in whatever form of the game they have got the chance of higher honours."
The only way Auckland can improve on last year is by winning all three titles, but O'Donnell said he had yet to set any firm goals.
"We'll be taking it a game at a time rather than saying 'we want to win it'. I think that's too vague."
* STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 2007-08
Nov 12-15: Canterbury v Auckland, Village Green, Christchurch; Central Districts v Otago, Nelson Park, Napier; Northern Districts v Wellington, Seddon Park, Hamilton.
Nov 19-22: Auckland v Central Districts, Eden Park Outer Oval; Canterbury v Northern Districts, Mainpower Oval, Rangiora; Wellington v Otago, Basin Reserve.
Nov 28-Dec 1: Wellington v Canterbury, Basin Reserve.
Dec 3-6: Northern Districts v Central Districts, Seddon Park; Otago v Auckland, University Oval, Dunedin.
Dec 10-13: Auckland v Northern Districts, Eden Park Outer Oval; Canterbury v Otago, Village Green; Central Districts v Wellington, McLean Park, Napier.
Mar 6-9 (2008): Auckland v Wellington, Eden Park Outer Oval; Central Districts v Canterbury, McLean Park; Otago v Northern Districts, University Oval.
Mar 14-17: Canterbury v Central Districts, Village Green; Northern Districts v Auckland, Harry Barker Reserve, Gisborne; Otago v Wellington, Queen's Park, Invercargill.
Mar 22-25: Northern Districts v Otago, Seddon Park.
Mar 23-26: Auckland v Canterbury, Eden Park Outer Oval; Wellington v Central Districts, Basin Reserve.
Mar 30-Apr 2: Central Districts v Northern Districts, McLean Park; Otago v Canterbury, University Oval; Wellington v Auckland, Basin Reserve.
Apr 7-11: Final, teams/venue tbc.
All matches start 10.30am
