State Auckland Aces back on deck

The Auckland cricket selectors have announced a strong team to play the State Northern Districts Knights in a two-day pre-season match at the Eden Park Outer Oval, starting Monday, November 18, 2002:

Brooke Walker (captain)
Andre Adams
Tama Canning
Matt Horne
Rob Nicol
Tim McIntosh
Craig Pryor
Kyle Mills
Mark Richardson
Gareth Shaw
Lou Vincent
Reece Young

The first team of the summer features a top order with three current international openers in Mark Richardson, Matt Horne and Lou Vincent, as well as regular Auckland opener Tim McIntosh. Together with youngster Rob Nicol, all four will be pursuing early runs to cement their places in the Aces' first State Championship game starting in Gisborne on November 29.

Another feature is the plethora of all-rounders - although primarily picked for their bowling prowess, Black Caps Andre Adams and Kyle Mills, captain Brooke Walker, Tama Canning and Craig Pryor are better than handy with willow in hand. Reece Young will keep wickets, and also in the 12 is young paceman Gareth Shaw.

First ball will be bowled at 11am.