Form at the three-day tournament will dictate selection for the upcoming provincial tri-series featuring Canterbury, Wellington and Auckland, before the final teams are chosen for the world tournament being held in Melbourne in October. Christchurch club Bowlarama is seeded first among the 12 men's teams having finished second last season.

It won the South Island tournament this season when double international Chris Harris made a guest appearance.

Harris may play again although he has been holidaying in Fiji, said a Bowlarama spokesman Richard Bromley. Competition among the Christchurch teams is intense with Bowlarama not making the superleague play-offs.

The top four are Action, which won the Canterbury title, Matipo, beaten finalist North Canterbury which includes Michael Sharpe and Harley James, and Howzat.

Auckland men's team Royal Oak is not defending its title because it has been ejected from the national association after a fees dispute. But strong challenges are expected from Valley (Wellington) and North Harbour.

The women's draw has attracted nine teams with defending champion Howzat favoured. The mainstays of its team include Helen Watson, Delwyn Brownlee and Mandy Ormandy. North Harbour and Petone are possible challengers. A round-robin will be staged before the play-offs.