Aces side to duel with Wizards named

The State Auckland Aces selectors have named a familiar line-up to contest their State Championship match against the State Canterbury Wizards, starting on Friday at Colin Maiden Park, Glen Innes.

There are only two changes to the side which appeared in the Aces' last State Championship match at North Harbour Stadium Oval in January.

Gone from the XII are pace bowler Heath Davis and young all-rounder Sam Whiteman. Both are unavailable due to injury. Their places have been taken by stand-out State Shield batsman Llorne Howell, and Howick Pakuranga all-rounder Brad Nielsen.

The Aces are leading the State Championship points race with 12, closely followed by the State Wellington Firebirds (11) and the State Central Stags (10).

The match at Colin Maiden Park commences on Friday at 10:30am and entry is free.

The XII named for the match are:

Brooke Walker (captain, Howick Pakuranga)
Aaron Barnes (Cornwall)
Tama Canning (Suburbs New Lynn)
Matt Horne (Grafton United)
Llorne Howell (East Coast Bays)
Tim McIntosh (Parnell)
Rob Nicol (Cornwall)
Brad Nielsen (Howick Pakuranga)
Craig Pryor (Grafton United)
Mark Richardson (Parnell)
Gareth Shaw (Papatoetoe)
Reece Young (Suburbs New Lynn)