Canterbury were put through their paces today at Jade Stadium in fitness tests, in one of the few summer-like days of the season to date.

A full programme over the next fortnight has been set up for the under-performing side of the last couple of seasons, and with the prospect of having international players available for the start of the summer, and perhaps later, coach Michael Sharpe is keen to have the side hitting the State Championship running and ready to take every opportunity they can.

Early points may well be vital with so much international cricket on later in the summer.

After their full training session today, the players were being given tomorrow off as it is a public holiday in Canterbury. They will have club cricket on Saturday and then a two-day trial match at Hagley Park on Sunday and Monday.

Tuesday has been set aside for pool rehabilitation and peripheral activities with sports psychology and nutrition on the agenda.

The selectors are looking to name their team on November 22.

Sharpe said there is good all-round strength in the region this year and after the good first seasons last year for Wade Cornelius, Michael Papps, Shanan Stewart and Peter Fulton, he is looking for them to build on that and to benefit from having the international players for the first two matches of the year.

"They always add something to the team and it is good for the young players to rub shoulders with them," Sharpe said.

"It is very, very good to have them for some of our play and when they move into the internationals it gives others chances."

The recent good form shown by Canterbury sides in the national age-group competitions was starting to bear fruit by strengthening up the next tier of the game.

Players had enjoyed a lot of club cricket on grass so far this summer, especially when compared to other regions and it was a case of everyone getting into the groove and going forward together he said.

© CricInfo