Super Max selection gives Canning an early chance

Super Max cricket hasn't been a vehicle for advancement in One-Day International or Test cricket yet, but Tama Canning will have an early chance to catch the selectorial eye when the TelstraClear Max Blacks play India in the National Bank tour opener at Jade Stadium on Wednesday night.

All the heavy artillery from New Zealand's one-day battery have been included in the side named by selectors Sir Richard Hadlee, Ross Dykes, Brian McKechnie and Denis Aberhart today.

It is a great opportunity for Canning, who was on the start line two seasons ago when his international eligibility was the subject of an International Cricket Council clearance but who failed to leave the grid.

He had a sound, if unspectacular summer last year. In State Championship matches he scored 241 runs at 26.77 and took 24 wickets at 25.16 while in the State Shield he hit only 102 runs, but at a strike rate of 85.00 and he was the best of Auckland's bowlers with 13 wickets but at an economy rate of 4.98.

Hadlee said Canning's selection of Canning showed the selectors would always be prepared to consider players other than those offered New Zealand Cricket contracts, if their form was good.

"Tama Canning scored a good hundred and picked up wickets against Northern Districts last week in a practice match.

"He showed us he is in good form for so early in the season and so he gets his chance," Hadlee said.

Chris Cairns has been given the captaincy of the side which looks to be the strongest of all the international Max sides New Zealand has fielded.

The full team is: Chris Cairns (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Tama Canning, Chris Harris, Paul Hitchcock, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Chris Nevin, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris.

Chris Harris has been selected as the specialist fielder for the match.

However, Hitchcock has a slight hamstring injury at the moment and he has been included in the side, subject to fitness.

Hadlee said the nature of the fast-paced Super Max game, where boundary hitters are most effective, meant the selectors had leant towards hard-hitting all-rounders.

"To be competitive in Super Max cricket you need to post scores in excess of 100 in each 10-over innings. This means you need players who can regularly hit the ball to, and over, the boundary.

"You also need bowlers who can put the ball in the right channels and minimise the opposition's boundary scoring opportunities."

Hadlee said there would be some exciting match-ups between the two teams, but he thought one of the most interesting ones would be between an internal one in the New Zealand side between the two wicket-keeper/batsmen in the Max Blacks side.

"Chris Nevin and Brendon McCullum are both looking to secure a spot in the TelstraClear Black Caps one-day side and this is an opportunity for them to impress.

"Both will keep wickets for one 10-over innings and both will have an opportunity to open an innings with Nathan Astle," Hadlee said.