New import Bopara still reeling from 70-hour trip

Auckland should probably not expect too much too soon from English import Ravi Bopara when their defence of the national first-class title gets under way in Napier today.

Bopara finally got to New Zealand after 70 hours of travel, including a failed international airline connection.

Then when he joined his new teammates in Napier on Sunday night, his bags flew on to New Plymouth.

He was reunited with his gear by courier yesterday morning for a rapid preparation before the first-round match against Central Districts in the revived Plunket Shield.

"He's fitted in really well," Auckland captain Gareth Hopkins said yesterday.

"When I heard he was keen to come as soon as possible I was really pleased. It tells you a little bit about the guy's attitude."

Bopara, who hit three test centuries for England against the West Indies before being dropped before the end of this year's Ashes series, was signed with an eye on the HRV Cup Twenty20 competition in January, but told Auckland officials he wanted to play as much as he could.

That suits us, was Auckland's reply.

He will join a team retaining almost all the title-winning members of last season's squad.

Hopkins is happy with progress, labelling it the best pre-season preparation he has seen.

Reece Young will keep wickets in the CD game, with Hopkins taking the gloves in round two against Wellington, starting next Tuesday, as the two work to keep their hand in should a national team call-up arise in the coming weeks.

Northern Districts have left out their bowler of the year last season, spinner Bruce Martin, for their trip south to play Otago at University Oval.

With the expectation of seam-friendly conditions, ND will put their trust in fast-medium men Brent Arnel, Graeme Aldridge, Trent Boult, Bradley Scott and Joey Yovich.

"We have selected a team that we believe is ideal for Dunedin," coach Grant Bradburn said.

The match will be important particularly for ND's test lefthander Daniel Flynn.

He is one of several to have spent pre-season time in Sydney but he will want a good look at the pitch ahead of the first home test of the summer, against Pakistan on the same oval, starting on November 24.

In the other opening-round game Wellington host Canterbury at the Basin Reserve.

Longtime wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Nevin will become the ninth player to reach 100 first-class matches for one province today.

PLUNKET SHIELD
First round, all start today, 10.30am

Central Districts v Auckland, Napier

CD: Jamie How (c), Peter Ingram, George Worker, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Weston, Brad Patton, Bevan Griggs, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ewen Thompson, Michael Mason, Doug Bracewell, Seth Rance, Jeremy Kuru (two to be omitted).