Central Districts coach Dipak Patel was delighted with the value taken from a camp of 26 leading players held at the Institute of Rugby at Massey University this week.

The four-day camp is the longest Central Districts (CD) players have had in their pre-season build-up and grew out of an idea the players developed during their end of season briefings last summer.

Patel said today that it was probably one of the best camps he had ever had with the team.

"The longest time we had together before the season was two days. But this one was set up well for us and we had time to sit down with players one-on-one and talk about the season ahead.

"Bevan Lynch, our new fitness guru, was there as well and he had a major part to play and had some excellent input.

"We looked at all three forms of cricket, Max, Shell Cup and Shell Trophy and it gave the selectors, coach and captain a good idea of how we see the future," he said.

As part of that some of the leading age-group players from the region were included so that if they were called upon they would not be thrown into the deep end and left wondering what it was all about.

Patel said CD was by tradition a team, which lost some players every year to other associations, and this year has been no different.

At times he wonders how the team would do, but he said it is amazing how often they were surprised with the talent on show.

"I feel quite comfortable going into the season," he said.

First signs of prospects will be clearer after a round-robin limited overs tournament is held in Palmerston North on November 11-12. The CD Max side will be named on the weekend of November 18-20.

Given the improvement in the side's limited overs form he would like to see it advance further this season.

"We've certainly promised plenty and on paper I believe we are still the strongest behind Canterbury. But we haven't delivered.

"We've addressed that and we've asked the players to look at and they have come up with their own formula. They know the senior players didn't deliver when it mattered and they want to rectify that," he said.

The immediate goal was to make the semi-finals and he knew CD would be competitive this year.

The role of Mathew Sinclair, the international who has just returned after New Zealand's 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe and who will return for the South African Tests, was significant.

"Mathew is looking very position and I am very pleased with his attitude and enthusiasm. He's in a good frame of mind," he said.

Patel says there are others capable of joining Sinclair, Craig Spearman and Glen Sulzberger playing for New Zealand.

As far as the immediate future is concerned for CD Patel said he was pleased to see Michael Mason over his run of injuries while Taraia Robin was looking a really good prospect, who was mature and fit.

"Stu Duff has been doing a good job with him and having Stu there makes your job easier. He is playing senior cricket again this year and he is able to keep an eye on prospective players," Patel said.

With the longer first-class programme this year, Patel is relishing the job ahead and especially the pre-Christmas period when he will be able to enjoy a sustained period of time with the players as they build up to the season's peak in January and February.

© CricInfo