Craig Spearman will mark his return to cricket in New Zealand by leading a strong-looking Central Districts team for their two-day warm-up match with Wellington at Wanganui starting on Wednesday.

Spearman will take on the role in the absence of Jacob Oram who is required to be at the TelstraClear Black Caps camp in Christchurch this week. Also at the High Performance Centre at Lincoln University will be Mathew Sinclair and Glen Sulzberger.

The Central Districts side to play the opening State Championship match, against Otago at Wanganui's Victoria Park will be named after the warm-up match on Thursday.

An interesting feature of the squad is the return to the upper levels of the game of leg-spinner Greg Loveridge.

Central Districts will be in the rare position, by New Zealand standards at least, of having two leg-spinners pushing for a place in the side. Tim Anderson is also in the squad named.

Also back for the side is wicket-keeper Martyn Sigley. He spent last summer in South America and over the past two winters has been working as physiotherapist for the Kent county side in England.

He and Bevan Griggs will be contesting the position this year.

The full CD squad is: Craig Spearman, Peter Ingram, Mathew Sinclair, Glen Sulzberger, Jacob Oram, Jamie How, Greg Todd, Peter McGlashan, Greg Loveridge, Bevan Griggs, Martyn Sigley, Michael Mason, Lance Hamilton, Brent Hefford, Tim Anderson.

Andrew Schwass was unavailable due to injury.

© CricInfo