Auckland's belief that it was the best team in last year's Shell Super Max competition, until it reached the final where it was beaten by Wellington, has left it determined to get to the final again this year, and to do a better job.

Skipper Blair Pocock is looking forward to the start of the campaign in the unlikely spot of Kaipara Flats west of Warkworth in the Northland hinterland tomorrow.

The Auckland side goes into the first of five games against Northern Districts (ND) having had four weekends of club cricket, an unprecedented occurrence in recent history, as preparation for the season.

"I'm very happy with the side we've got. It is similar to that we had for most of last year and we take Super Max very seriously. We use it as the start of the season opportunity to get all our routines, our standards and habits worked out for the year ahead," he said.

While the trial of playing five games against ND was not ideal, it was taking the game to some interesting places that he had never played before. If the benefit of that was that people saw the game and were then prepared to drive a little further to watch other cricket then it would be worthwhile.

"And if we have to play ND for five games then that is what we have to do.

"We will be doing a lot of coaching and promotion at games and it is in the players' best interests to get involved in that," he said.

Pocock was right behind New Zealand Cricket's move to re-introduce two rounds of Shell Trophy play, even if it meant that he started four months leave from his employment to fulfil the season.

"It does put a strain on work but if you still want to be involved in cricket you have to be prepared to make the sacrifice," he said.

"And if New Zealand wants to be competitive internationally then we need to have a good domestic base," he said.

While New Zealand is still struggling to settle the opening position in its Test side, Pocock is not holding his breath waiting for the selectors to knock on his door.

He said he is being realistic when saying he felt he could have done better with the opportunities in international cricket he has had in the past. Getting back into international cricket is not his motivation for playing first-class cricket.

But if he did get enough runs to cause the selectors to ask him if he was available he wouldn't mind.

For the moment he's looking to head a developing Auckland team which is benefiting from consistent selection and which has good depth in all but the spinning department where the loss of leg-spinner Brooke Walker to the New Zealand team was costly for the side.

"I'm looking forward to the Max. We've got to win three of the five games to make the semi-finals. It has been pretty competitive with ND in the past and we have played it pretty well," he said.

ND captain Robbie Hart is back from the winter spent in Holland where he has been working on his batting and is satisfied he has got what he wanted out of it.

The notion of playing Auckland in a series also appeals to him, probably as the result of several close matches that have been played between the two sides in recent times.

"We always respect Auckland. They work hard as a team while we have really focused on individuals working out their own game and putting it into a team approach," he said.

A player who enjoys the captaincy role he is looking forward to having an experienced bowling line-up to call on with Simon Doull and Alex Tait especially crucial to ND. Graeme Aldridge has developed some experience while young Counties medium pacer Brent Arnel is shaping as a useful replacement with Scott Styris and Daryl Tuffey overseas.

Otago will be one side watched closely right throughout the summer. Its move in employing former Canterbury and Conference coach Denis Aberhart as its coach and former New Zealand and Canterbury captain Lee Germon as captain is an innovative one.

Otago has been in the doldrums for several seasons, especially outside the first-class game, but has clearly come up with some interesting selections in its bid to regain some of its former glory.

Aberhart is looking forward to his new role.

"My employers were happy for me to do it so I thought, 'why not?'

"Otago has a good set up down there and Graham Elliott wants to do things well. The players have been very welcoming and I believe we have a team that is competitive," Aberhart said.

While the players lacked a little confidence Aberhart believes they have the talent to be there when the prizes are handed out at the end of the year.

Based in Christchurch where he is a school principal, Aberhart has been making regular weekend trips south to oversee the development of the side and with Glenn Turner helping out as well there was more than enough cover for the team's preparation.

"We play Canterbury five times over the next couple of weeks and it is probably a shame we don't get to play the others."

The sides are:

Auckland: Blair Pocock (captain), Andre Adams, John Aiken, Aaron Barnes, Tama Canning, Heath Davis, Chris Drum, Llorne Howell, Richard King, Kyle Mills, Richard Morgan, Lou Vincent.

Northern Districts: Robbie Hart (captain), Grant Bradburn (vice-captain), Graeme Aldridge, Brent Arnel, Mark Bailey, Simon Doull, Robert Diver, Hamish Marshall, Michael Parlane, Neal Parlane, Alex Tait, Joseph Yovich.

Canterbury: Gary Stead (captain), Shane Bond, Danny Bulman, Ryan Burson, Cleighten Cornelius, Stephen Cunis, Brad Doody, Marcel McKenzie, Darron Reekers, Hayden Shaw, Warren Wisneski, Ben Yock.

Otago: Lee Germon (captain), Mark Billcliff, Martyn Croy, Craig Cumming, Chris Gaffaney, Andrew Hore, Warren McSkimming, Karl O'Dowda, Craig Pryor, Neil Rushton, David Sewell, Scott Waide, Kerry Walmsley.

Central Districts: Jacob Oram (captain), Brendan Diamanti, Mark Douglas, David Kelly, Jamie Lee, Greg Loveridge, Andrew Schwass, Martyn Sigley, Glen Sulzberger, Ewen Thompson, Greg Todd, Gareth West.

Wellington: Still to be named.

© CricInfo