Win wanted in Auckland

Press, 25 January 1988, Page 38

Win wanted in Auckland

By

JOHN COFFEY

If Canterbury can take full competition points from its match with Auckland, starting at Eden Park today, it will be well-placed to challenge for Shell Trophy cricket honours, the Canterbury coach, Bob Carter, said yesterday. Canterbury lies in third place, 16 points — the equivalent of an outright victory after being ahead on. the first innings — behind the leader, Northern Districts. While Northern and the second-placed Otago are not involved in tomorrow’s abbreviated trophy round, Canterbury has a chance of completing a notable double over Auckland and greatly im-

proving its prospects. "We have to get at least one outright win from our trip to Auckland dnd Wellington,” said Mr Carter. “Obviously we would like two, but even 20 competition points would set us up for the last two games against Central Districts and Otago. “Auckland might have been strengthened by the return from Australia of Danny Morrison. But we have a trump card in Michael Holding, Andrew Hintz is back from injury, and Bill Lawrence has also been bowling very well,” said Mr Carter. Canterbury’s bowling options have been increased by the inclusion of David Hartshorn, a legspinner, to complement

the left-armer, Mark Priest.

It is significant that Wellington’s Australian recruit, Bob Holland, has had considerable success with his leg-spin deliveries at the Eden Park No. 2 playing field and the Basin Reserve. Mr Carter is not too worried that another of Auckland’s recent national representatives, Phil Horne, will be opening the batting. Horne fills the position vacated by the aggressive Richard Reid, who has work commitments.

“That might be a bit of a bonus,” said Mr Carter. “If Reid stays for an hour or so, the fireworks are really let loose.” He expects Auckland to

be positive in its approach, in its anxiety to lift itself from the bottom of the trophy table. “The side which grabs the initiative early in the game should have a big advantage. I was pleased with the way we performed against Otago, the manner in which Canterbury polished off Otago’s batting after the big stand by Walker and Mallender.

“I believe that if it had not rained we would have got outright points. But we have to be realistic and say that Northern might have also beaten Central outright had it not rained up there,” said Mr Carter. The other trophy fixture starting tomorrow is between Central and Wellington at Levin.