State Canterbury Wizards State Championship team named

The Canterbury Cricket selectors have announced the State Canterbury Wizards team to play the State Auckland Aces in a State Championship four-day match starting on Friday, February 7 at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland.

It has been a tough selection process for the Canterbury selectors given the unavailability of a number of players for various reasons.

Pace bowlers Wade Cornelius and Leighton Burtt have been unavailable all season due to injury while Warren Wisneski, although having recently played one club game and a match for Canterbury A, on medical advice is being given further time to reach full, first-class match fitness.

Ryan Burson is unavailable for Canterbury selection and Hayden Shaw has indicated his forthcoming unavailability due to hockey commitments.

Convener of selectors Craig Thiele said that although the injury toll and lack of available players is frustrating, all players who in the mind of the selectors had a future in the four-day game were considered.

"Team balance is a vital ingredient in any cricket side and we believe we have selected a well balanced team, while maintaining a solid base of experience, from the best available players," Thiele added.

Included in the 12-man squad is Lancaster Park-Woolston English import and all-rounder Paul Franks.

"Due to the lack of player availabilities the President of LPW, Peter Crowhen, was approached to determine Paul's availability. Paul's all-round skills provide a sense of balance to the team and offers options in both the bowling and batting attack," said Thiele.

The State Canterbury Wizards team to play the State Auckland Aces from February 7-10 at Eden Park Outer Oval is:

Gary Stead (captain)
Brendon Donkers
Andrew Ellis
Paul Franks
Robbie Frew
Peter Fulton
Gareth Hopkins
Chris Martin
Michael Papps
Aaron Redmond
Shanon Stewart
Paul Wiseman