Cairns to return

The Canterbury teams to play in a one-day and three-day match were today named. Both include changes from the teams which have played in the first three rounds of Shell Cup and Shell Trophy.

The teams are:

v Zimbabwe (one-day)
19th December 2000

Gary Stead (c)
Brad Doody
Hamish Barton
Chris Cairns
Chris Harris
Aaron Redmond
Michael Papps
Carl Anderson
Warren Wisneski
Cleighton Cornelius
Hayden Shaw
Mark Hastings

v Zimbabwe (three-days)
21st - 23rd December 2000

Gary Stead (c)
Harley James
Jarrod Englefield
Robbie Frew
Marcel McKenzie
Hamish Barton
Aaron Redmond
Carl Anderson
Gareth Hopkins
Shane Bond
Wade Cornelius
Warren Wisneski
Nathan Astle

Commenting on the selection of the one-day team Convenor Ben Harris said that the return of Chris Cairns was a real boost. He said that the Shell Cup performances had shown that the team lacked `fire-power' in the middle overs and that scores of 220-240 were not good enough.

He said "The return of Chris Cairns, who will play as a batsman, will give the team a greater ability to score in the middle stages of the game".

Geoff Allott was not considered for selection and the other notable change is the inclusion of squad member Hamish Barton who replaces Gareth Hopkins. Harris said that the three-day game would give the selectors another opportunity to access the ability of a number of players against an international team. Nathan Astle has been included in the squad of thirteen at the request of the New Zealand Selectors.

Harley James (Canterbury Country), whose only previous first class game was against Zimbabwe joins the team as does Marcel McKenzie and Wade Cornelius. McKenzie, a middle order batsman who has previously represented the province replaces Chris Harris who is being rested and Cornelius a right arm fast bowler will join Shane Bond (returned from injury) and Warren Wisneski as a frontline bowler. Hamish Barton has also been selected.

Harris said "We have a great opportunity to test squad members against international opponents. We have been disappointed with the teams Shell Cup results but, on the other hand, the Trophy efforts have been heartening ... the team is learning not to lose four day games and now needs to go to another level and learn how to win these games outright".