CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

Rangiora's Dudley Park has been a successful ground for Canterbury cricket teams in recent seasons and the side hopes that trend will continue against Auckland in the Shell Trophy match starting today.

Canterbury has twice won trophy titles there, the most recent last season, and along with Auckland will be desperate for outright points from the match.

Both teams have just two points from the first two rounds and lie in bottom-equal position beginning the third round.

With only two rounds remaining before the top two teams meet in the final, the match is a make-or-break if the teams are to stay in contention.

Canterbury has had little fortune in this campaign, losing the toss on a lifeless wicket first against Central Districts, then having a day lost to rain in the drawn game against Wellington.

Auckland will be boosted by the return of pace bowlers with New Zealand experience, Chris Drum and Kerry Walmsley, after injury.

Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald believes the pitch may be more likely to favour spin after the long dry spell although rain yesterday and today could change his plans.

Canterbury has opted to include an extra left-arm slow bowler, Carl Anderson, in its 12 with one of its four-strong complement of pace bowlers the contender to carry the drinks.

In other matches competition leader Northern Districts (12pts) is away to Central Districts (8) in a top-of-the-table match at Wanganui, while Otago (6) hosts Wellington (2) in Oamaru.