Aces face fitness test
By Geoff Longley

The probable return of Black Cap stars Dion Nash and Adam Parore to full fitness makes Auckland a tougher proposition in the Shell Cup cricket one-day finals series against Canterbury, starting Friday in Auckland.

Both face fitness checks in Auckland today, Nash on his back and Parore on his thigh muscle tear, which will determine their availability for the best-of-three play-offs.

Nash has played in the last two matches as a batsman with telling effect, scoring an unbeaten 53 against Canterbury and a match-winning 44 not out in the semi-final against Northern Districts. He is expected to be cleared to bowl as he builds toward the six-game one-day series against Australia.

Accomplished wicketkeeper-batsman Parore is also expected to return, lengthening the Auckland Aces batting order.

Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald said the inclusion of the pair playing a full part changes the complexion of the Auckland team, but not his conviction that Canterbury is the better team.

"Auckland have a few areas of concern I think regarding their top-order batting and opening bowling," he said.

"Their batting plan when they played us was not obvious to me. They have made changes to their order and lacked continuity."

MacDonald was unimpressed by what he saw in the Auckland-Northern Districts semi-final at Eden Park when 19 wickets fell for 300 runs in a low-scoring match.

"Auckland would really have to get their house in order better to beat us I would say. We have to be the favourites and I expect us to play accordingly."

However, MacDonald cautioned that with Parore back and Nash in form Auckland's batting would be more testing. "They didn't have a fling at us in the first 10 overs the last time we played them last week which surprised me, but I'd expect them to have a go this time. To beat us they would have to get some momentum under way early."

Meanwhile, Canterbury has added promising young all-rounder Hayden Shaw to its squad to prepare for the match at training today and tomorrow.

MacDonald said Shaw, a former New Zealand Youth international, was added because he would benefit from the experience alongside Canterbury's six New Zealand representatives and offered another pace bowling option at the nets.

The team is otherwise unchanged from the side which has won its last three games.

The second game of the series is on Sunday at Jade Stadium and the third, if required, on Tuesday, also in Christchurch. Each match has a reserve day.

Squad: Gary Stead (captain), Brad Doody, Nathan Astle, Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Gareth Hopkins, Carl Anderson, Warren Wisneski, Ryan Burson, Chris Martin, Hayden Shaw.

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