Gillespie 'to give ND a hurry-up'

Wellington coach Anthony Stuart is predicting pace spearhead Mark Gillespie will give Northern Districts a hurry-up as the State Championship enters the third round at the Basin Reserve today.

Gillespie and all-rounder Grant Elliott are both back in Wellington colours after being released from New Zealand duties and Stuart said Gillespie was chomping at the bit after being confined to net bowling in Australia.

"Dizzy's really keen," Stuart said.

"I've spoken to him a couple of times since Friday when I heard he was coming home, and by all accounts over there he was unlucky to miss out.

"So he's obviously bowling well and he's fit and he's strong and he had a good session [yesterday] morning, he troubled guys in the nets.

"I know he's keen to get some time in the middle to press his chances for the first test against the West Indies."

Stuart faces a difficult decision today whittling down his 13-man squad to 11.

Fast bowler Andrew Lamb is likely to be the first name scratched but Stuart will wait till viewing the pitch today to make the other decision.

The four-day match marks the return of last year's Wellington captain Michael Parlane in enemy colours and Stuart said it would add a little spice.

"We'll wish each other good luck before the game and then once the game starts it's game on," he said.

The match will also be Northern Districts' first match under new coach Grant Bradburn with the former New Zealand offspinner stepping into new Black Caps coach Andy Moles' shoes.

Stuart had respect for Northern's mix of youth and experience under captain James Marshall, including under-19 stars Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, but was expecting nothing less than an outright victory.

"I expect us to win every game to be fair," he said.

"I think if we play anywhere near our ability suggests and with the form that we've been in then ND are in for a pretty good contest."

Wellington are equal second with Auckland after the two sides drew in a rain-affected match in Auckland last week.

Stuart will again play two spinners - Luke Woodcock and Mark Houghton - and would bat first if captain Matthew Bell wins the toss.

"That's a strength of ours [spin bowling] and we're mad not to play to that strength," Stuart said.

"But whether we bat first or bowl first we've got balance.

"We've got pace, we've got guys that can swing it and we've got a couple of spinners."

Wellington (from): Matthew Bell (c), Josh Brodie, Neal Parlane, BJ Crook, James Franklin, Grant Elliott, Luke Woodcock, Chris Nevin, Graham Napier, Dewayne Bowden, Mark Houghton, Mark Gillespie, Andrew Lamb.

Northern Districts: James Marshall (c), BJ Watling, Cameron Merchant, Michael Parlane, Kane Williamson, Peter McGlashan, Bruce Martin, Graeme Aldridge, Bradley Scott, Brent Arnel, Trent Boult, Joseph Yovich.

- © Fairfax NZ News