Otago vulnerable, says Warren Lees

Press, 28 December 1987, Page 14

Otago vulnerable, says Warren Lees

PA Dunedin One swallow does not make a summer is the message Warren Lees, the Otago cricket captain, may feel inclined to give to his team before the Shell Cup match against Auckland at Alexandra today. Otago began the competition on Saturday with a 25-run win over Canterbury while Auckland, the defending champion, lost to Northern Districts by 39 runs at Eden Park. Auckland has the best record of any team in New Zealand limitedovers competitions (it has won national titles six times) and it has always proved a tough nut for Otago to crack. “One-day cricket is a great leveller," Lees said. "The worst team can turn around and, on their day, beat the best. “Auckland has done particularly well in the Shell Cup and they will be desperate to win at Alexandra after losing to Northern Districts.

“We have to try to keep our momentum going. We’re slightly vulnerable still — we’re still in the preparation stage compared to northern teams. “But we are a lot more confident after the win against Canterbury. We know now we can win and that is a big help. “We are looking forward to the game at Molyneaux Park, both for the warmer weather and for the crowd atmosphere.

We just hope we can build on our display at Carisbrook.” Auckland beat Otago by 30 runs in its Shell Cup match at Eden Park last year and, in spite of a hiccup on Saturday, it will begin the game today as slight favourite. Lees will be looking for more runs from his top order while Auckland will also be wanting its specialist batsmen to fire after their disappointing display on Saturday. Richard Reid and Derek Scott have both scored well in the one-day competition (Scott holds the Auckland record with an innings of 140 against Northern last season) and there are quick and fluent scorers down the order. Richard de Groen, the young pace bowler, made an impressive debut against Northern Districts on Saturday, and his bowling will be watched with interest. Stu Gillespie, Tom Hellaby and Vaughan Brown are all proven performers at Shell Cup level and

there is also the blend of young players to round out the side. Mr Terry Glenn, the Otago convener of selectors, has said the side will be reassessed after the second Shell Cup match and this should ensure a committed effort from the Otago players. The pitch at Molyneux Park is usually docile and in favour of the batsmen and the weather was fine yesterday as the ground staff put the finishing touches to the ground preparation. Teams for the match are: OtagO: Warren Lees (captain), Stu McCullum, Kasen Ibedulla, Kevin Burns, Bruce Blair, Richard Hoskin, Derek Walker, John Wilson, Neil Mallender, Peter Hills, Vaughn Johnson, Stephen Boock Auckland: Bill Fowler (captain), Richard Reid, Derek Scott, Vaughan Brown, Alan Hunt, Steve Brown, Tom Hellaby, Stu Gillespie, Martin Pringle, Paul Kelly, Martin Bradley, Richard de Groen.