Auckland and Northern Districts will have their internationals on duty at Eden Park tomorrow as the whites are discarded until the middle of February and the dress code turns coloured in the State-sponsored domestic competition.

The home side will have a markedly different look for this first State Shield one-day outing of the season compared to the team that went down by five wickets to their rivals in the latest round of the four-day State Championship in Hamilton. Matt Horne, Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Adam Parore and Chris Drum return fresh from the comprehensive defeat of Bangladesh in Wellington.

For Northern, the international pickings are not so numerous but what they might lack in quantity could well be made up in quality. Daniel Vettori returns to the side from his much-admired Wellington exploits. Northern have also brought former international Simon Doull into their 12.

The Eden Park Outer Oval surrounds have thrown off the residue of the rugby season, taking on the park-like atmosphere that encourages spectators to enjoy picnics with their cricket. For the players, the outfield looks particularly lush after a weather pattern that bore a marked similarity to monsoon conditions. The designated strip has been looking decidedly green over the past few days but can expect a close cut before play starts.

The teams will be chosen from:

Auckland: Brooke Walker (captain), Andre Adams, Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Chris Drum, Mark Haslam, Matt Horne, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Adam Parore, Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent.

Northern Districts: Robbie Hart (captain), James Marshall, Matthew Hart, Mark Bailey, Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, Grant Bradburn, Daniel Vettori, Joseph Yovich, Daryl Tuffey, Simon Doull, Ian Butler.

© CricInfo