here's a nice little preview of the state championship for those who haven't seen it.
State Championship has plenty to offer this summer
Events in Australia have heightened the role that the State Championship plays in New Zealand cricket as the launching pad for future international players.
There is no escaping the fact that the best way for New Zealand's international performances to improve is for competition to be provided for those players at the top. And the latest version begins on Monday with Northern Districts playing Auckland in Hamilton.
There is a battle going on for places in the middle-order already and it has been by no means settled.
Craig McMillan has lost his place for the moment in the Test side, while Mathew Sinclair has been used as an opener, a role to which he is not really accustomed.
Michael Papps is looking to regain his opening position which, if he is successful and for the benefit of the New Zealand game he has to be, will only put more pressure on the middle-order selection. Opener Mark Richardson added some extra consideration with his post-Test comments in Adelaide regarding his future in the game. Even if he plays beyond the end of the season, the hunt is on for a replacement for him.
Also looking to regain his place in the international side is Lou Vincent, while other up and comers are always emerging to be considered.
It is a fascinating aspect of the first-class game and one which provides more than its fair share of interest during the summer months. With much greater incentives for players to be included in the national A side, good play in the Championship is not without its rewards.
Clearly, there will also be much for bowlers to prove in the first-class game. The hope will be that pitches are in the best condition this summer for bowlers to be really put through their paces. That hasn't been the case in recent years, especially for spinners.
It would be great to think that a dry summer could contribute to far many more overs being bowled by spinners in all sides this year. Daniel Vettori is once again setting the standards and Paul Wiseman has responded well to his increased exposure. But it is to be hoped that Brooke Walker, Bruce Martin, Jaden Hatwell, Nathan McCullum, Glen Sulzberger, Jeetan Patel and Luke Woodcock can make a significant impact this year.
Similarly, the pace men have plenty to play for. Initially, the interest will centre on Daryl Tuffey's recovery from his problems earlier in the year but others like Michael Mason, Kerry Walmsley, Tama Canning and Andre Adams are not without incentives to perform.
While Sri Lanka and Australia loom on the immediate horizon, there are greater prizes in the not-too-distant future, most notably a tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa next summer, a tour which is shaping as hugely significant in New Zealand's assault on recovering its position in the Test rankings. South Africa is battling as New Zealand has done to maintain its international position.
Of all the sides taking part this year, Northern Districts have undergone the most significant changes and with Robbie Hart opting to retire, James Marshall will represent the major captaincy change among the sides. Their changes highlight the continuing capacity of the New Zealand Cricket Academy to provide new talent for sides, and it will be of interest to watch adaptation of players like Te Ahu Davis and BJ Watling to first-class play. And it will be of continuing interest to see if former Academy players like Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder can find a level of consistency to begin to force their prospects for international selection.
Wellington will take the favouritism into the competition as defending champions but they face a tough time in holding their title. Auckland, as always, impress with their strength while no-one can ever under-estimate Central Districts, who have a new coach in former England player Graham Barlow.
Canterbury are also wearing a fresher look with special interest in how Tim McIntosh adapts to his new surroundings and the return of Wade Cornelius and Hayden Shaw to the pace attack.
Watch this space, as nzcricket.co.nz, will be providing ball-by-ball coverage from the start of play on Monday. It is shaping as another fascinating summer of competition.
Teams this year are:
Auckland:
Brooke Walker (captain), Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Paul Hitchcock, Matt Horne, Richard Jones, Rob Nicol, Mark Richardson, Gareth Shaw, Lou Vincent, Kerry Walmsley, Reece Young.
Canterbury:
Peter Fulton (captain), Wade Cornelius, Brendon Donkers, Tim McIntosh, Tim Papps, Shanan Stewart, Steve Cunis, Andrew Ellis, Michael Papps, Paul Wiseman, Chris Martin, Hayden Shaw, Gary Stead.
Central Districts:
Glen Sulzberger (captain), Geoff Barnett, Jarrod Englefield, Bevan Griggs, Lance Hamilton, Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Michael Mason, Andrew Schwass, Ross Taylor, Ewen Thompson, Regan West.
Northern Districts:
James Marshall (Northland) Captain, Graeme Aldridge (Bay of Plenty), Te Ahu Davis (Hamilton), Matthew Hart (Bay of Plenty), Jaden Hatwell (Hamilton), Nick Horsley (Hamilton), Llorne Howell (Bay of Plenty), Mark Orchard (Hamilton), Grant Robinson (Hamilton), Ryan Shutte (Hamilton), Daryl Tuffey (Counties Manukau), B.J Watling (Hamilton), Joseph Yovich (Northland
Otago: (Unconfirmed at writing but should include) Craig Cumming, Chris Gaffaney, Gareth Hopkins, Rob Lawson, Nathan McCullum, Marcel McKenzie, Warren McSkimming, Aaron Redmond, Bradley Scott, Greg Todd, Mohammad Wasim, Jeff Wilson.
Wellington:
Matthew Bell (captain), Sam Fairley, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Graham Murray, Chris Nevin, Iain O'Brien, Michael Parlane, Neal Parlane, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Ash Turner, Luke Woodcock.
