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After a month without cricket, Riccarton is battling a lack of preparation when it represents Canterbury at the national club championship tournament in Auckland, starting today.

Having had the bye in the final round of two-day club cricket and with Christchurch hosting a New Zealand-South Africa test in mid-March, Riccarton is down on match fitness.

``I suppose it can work two ways. It can help us freshen up,''said Riccarton captain Robbie Frew.

Riccarton will not be able to field its strongest side with all-rounders Glenn Foulkes, recovering from a recent hernia operation, and Wayne Stead - being married next week - both unavailable.

English professional Aftab Habib returned to Leicestershire at the start of March, leaving Riccarton rather depleted. Much responsibility rests with Gary Stead, who will be seeking to continue his advances after adapting well to the test arena, and Frew, the two batsmen with first-class experience in the side.

Riccarton's new-ball attack should be testing, using New Zealand Youth team member Hayden Shaw and promising left-armer Darren Walker in its line-up.

Riccarton qualified for the tournament, which brings together the six champion teams from the major associations, from last season's win in the one-day club competition.

The other teams taking part are Collegians (Wellington), Green Island (Dunedin), Cornwall (Auckland), Freyberg Kia Ora (Palmerston North) and Otumoetai (Tauranga).

The final will be played on Monday.

Riccarton: Robbie Frew (captain), Paul Miller, Danny Grafton, Gary Stead, Andrew Reid, Hayden Shaw, Lee Borcoski, Blair Miller, Darren Walker, Phil Monk, Simon Carmont, Leonard Smythe.