No surprises with Walker named Auckland captain

Brooke Walker was retained as captain of the State Auckland Aces today as seventeen players were named in the first training squad to prepare for the 2003/04 season.

The squad, chosen by the panel of Mark O'Donnell (convener), Rowan Armour, Richard Irving and Austin Parsons, includes eight international players.

Two players - Heath Davis (Cornwall) and Lou Vincent (Takapuna) - were not considered as both are in Australia. They will join the squad upon their return. Vincent will join fellow international players Mark Richardson, Kyle Mills and Paul Hitchcock on the forthcoming tour to India.

"This forms the base of a highly competitive squad that should be tough to knock over in both forms of domestic cricket this season," said O'Donnell, who is the State Auckland Aces coach and also convener of selectors.

Other players will be involved in the State Auckland Aces pre-season training programme when required. On Walker's retention as captain, O'Donnell said the leg-spinner had a proven record as captain and was well organised and very determined. "Brooke is very clear on what he wants to achieve, and what he wants others to do."

Walker was pleased the selectors had shown faith in his captaincy. "We've moulded together a team in the true sense of the word. I'm looking forward to building on the positive culture that's been created both on and off the park," he said.

The 17 players named in the initial squad are:

Brooke Walker (captain - Howick Pakuranga), Andre Adams(Takapuna), Aaron Barnes (Cornwall), Tama Canning (Suburbs New Lynn), Paul Hitchcock (Takapuna), Matt Horne (Grafton), Llorne Howell (East Coast Bays), Tim Lythe (Auckland University), Tim McIntosh (Parnell), Andy McKay (Howick Pakuranga), Kyle Mills (Howick Pakuranga), Rob Nicol (Cornwall), Craig Pryor (Grafton), Mark Richardson (Parnell), Gareth Shaw (Papatoetoe