Northern Knights' depth to be tested

The Northern Knights leapt over their first Plunket Shield hurdle with ease last week – now they have another barrier to overcome.

The Knights, first-round winners over the Otago Volts by 10 wickets, will be without five first-choice cricketers for their second round four-day match against the Central Stags starting at Whangarei's Cobham Oval tomorrow, immediately testing their depth of talent.

Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori has been ruled out after suffering concussion in Abu Dhabi while Daniel Flynn, BJ Watling, Tim Southee and Brent Arnel have been drafted into the New Zealand Invitation XI to face Pakistan in a three-day match starting in Queenstown on Wednesday.

"We were hoping to have Daniel for this match and he was pretty keen too, but obviously he's not right and needs a rest," said Knights coach Grant Bradburn.

"We're happy we got four players in that team as we want players in the Black Caps but it is a double-edged sword.

"We've brought in Anurag Verma and Jono Boult as bowling all-rounders," said Bradburn.

"The plan has always been to have as many guys as possible to step sideways into the team and I think we have three or four guys capable of performing at this level.

"We've still got Bruce Martin and Te Ahu Davis from our contracted players who we haven't selected yet but they will play a big part during the Plunket Shield."

The Central Districts side will get returning Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor back from international duty but are unlikely to have expectant father Jacob Oram available to bolster an already potent batting line-up.

"We've identified four guys as their pillars of strength – Mathew Sinclair, Peter Ingram, Ross Taylor and Jamie How," Bradburn said.

"They bat right down to 10 and have an experienced bowling attack with the likes of Michael Mason and Ewen Thompson."

Bradburn said the Cobham Oval wicket was "among the best, if not the best, in New Zealand last season".

"It has good grass cover and should offer the seamers something for the first 30 overs. The batsmen will enjoy the pace and it does create a few footmarks for the spinners to come into it on days three and four."

TEAMS

Northern Knights (from): James Marshall (c), Michael Parlane, Brad Wilson, Kane Williamson, Joseph Yovich, Peter McGlashan, Anton Devcich, Graeme Aldridge, Jono Boult, Bradley Scott, Anurag Verma, Trent Boult.

Central Stags (from): Jamie How (c), Peter Ingram, George Worker, Ross Taylor, Brad Patton, Bevan Griggs, Ewen Thompson, Doug Bracewell, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Michael Mason, Jeremy Kuru.

- © Fairfax NZ News