Solid look to Canterbury side for Championship

The State Canterbury Wizards' side for the opening State Championship match against the State Otago Volts in Timaru, starting on Monday, has a well-seasoned look to it.

The side will be led by international Craig McMillan, who was unavailable for the Black Caps' tour of Pakistan. Unfortunately, injury to Shane Bond and Wade Cornelius has taken some of the teeth from the potential attack, while Nathan Astle, is still not ready to play. But with Chris Martin and Warren Wisneski having made international appearances there is still a solid core to the new ball attack. Also selected are Brendon Donkers and Stephen Cunis.

They will be supplemented by Paul Wiseman, the Test off-spinner and Aaron Redmond, the leg-spinner. However, injury to Redmond this week will mean that David Kelly will travel to Timaru as cover for Redmond in case he has not recovered as quickly as hoped for the match.

Canterbury's newer brigade of batsmen are also represented in the side with Shanan Stewart, Michael Papps, Peter Fulton and Neil Broom included. McMillan and Gary Stead will provide a necessary rod of experience in the batting order.

The full team is: Craig McMillan (capt), Neil Broom, Steven Cunis, Brendon Donkers, Peter Fulton, Chris Martin, Michael Papps, Aaron Redmond, Gary Stead, Shanan Stewart, Paul Wiseman, Warren Wisneski.

Unavailable along with Bond, Astle and Cornelius were Chris Cairns, Chris Harris and Brendon McCullum.