Owais Shah heading back to Middlesex

ROBERT KITCHEN/Dominion Post

HOMEWARD BOUND: Wellington import Owais Shah is headed home to England.

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Owais Shah's stint with the Wellington Firebirds is over.

With Wellington out of the running in the 50-over competition, the former England batsman will not play in the wooden-spoon clash against Canterbury in Christchurch tomorrow.

His place is taken by Wellington-based Australian-born batsman Stewart Rhodes, who has had to sit out the last month because of the one-import rule.

Karori batsman Stephen Murdoch has also been called up, but the news is not so good for left-arm spinner Mark Houghton and paceman Sunnie Chan, who are dropped.

Wellington coach Anthony Stuart and Cricket Wellington chief executive Gavin Larsen said Shah had made a good contribution to the side, even if he had not scored as many runs as hoped.

"He has made a big impact on the Firebirds since he has been here, both on the field, where his experience has been a big asset, and off it, where his positive personality and willingness to assist the younger players has really shone through," Stuart said.

Shah leaves Wellington on Friday to link up with his county, Middlesex, where he hopes to press for an England recall.

Wellington: Jeetan Patel (captain), Cameron Merchant, Neal Parlane, Michael Pollard, Stewart Rhodes, Chris Nevin, Stephen Murdoch, Luke Woodcock, Harry Boam, Dewayne Bowden, Mark Gillespie, Malaesaili Tugaga.

Canterbury: Peter Fulton (captain), Kruger van Wyk, Shanan Stewart, Johann Myburgh, Michael Papps, Rob Nicol, Dean Brownlie, Carl Frauenstein, Logan van Beek, Shane Bond, Chris Martin, Ryan Burson.

- © Fairfax NZ News