Neesham set to play for Otago tomorrow
KEY Otago allrounder Jimmy Neesham should be right to take the field against Auckland tomorrow but may not roll his arm over.
Neesham left the field after bowling four overs against Wellington on Sunday because of an abdominal strain.
There were fears the injury was serious but Otago coach Rob Walter said yesterday Neesham was not as bad as first thought.
He had pulled up well and was expected to be right for the second round game in the Ford Trophy at the Eden Park outer oval tomorrow.
Walter said with the Ford Trophy only just starting he erred on the side of caution and Neesham came off.
Neesham would definitely bat and may bowl tomorrow but that would depend on how he felt after the side trains in Auckland today.
Young allrounder Josh Finnie has picked up a virus and also left the field on Sunday. He will not fly to Auckland and has been replaced in the squad by batsman Ryan Duffy.
With Jack Hunter in the squad for the match against Wellington but not required, he may be a candidate to come into the playing side as the bowling department looks thin.
Auckland, coming off a monster win over Northern Districts, looms as a dangerous opponent.
Auckland scored 295 and Northern Districts was dismissed for just 134 in reply.
Black Caps paceman Lockie Ferguson took a sixwicket bag in the win.