Central Districts passed two tests against a strong New Zealand Selection XI at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln University today, and succeeded in getting quality practice ahead of their forthcoming major assignment.

Ewen Thompson, with 5-29, overshadowed fellow left-arm quick Shayne O'Connor. However, his international hopes centred on a trip to Perth, Western Australia, for the inaugural Champions Cup four nations domestic one-day tournament, rather than Tuesday's Test against Pakistan.

Thompson even qualified for a interview from TV One, at almost two metres tall towering over diddy David Di Somma. Thompson told CricInfo it was "good to get a few wickets on the day of the selection," and made the ball move around as the early morning sun removed damp from the wicket. CD coach Dipak Patel responded to whether he thought Thompson had overshadowed Test shoe-in Shayne O'Connor today by saying, "I suppose he has, he's bowled very well to good batsmen and got good batsmen out."

However, the major plus from this match was the form and fitness of O'Connor, who has bowled 27 overs during the three days of matches. He took 6-32 off 17 overs on Monday and Tuesday, followed by 1-44 off ten today. The last ball of his spell, bowled to Greg Todd, was dropped at second slip by Kerry Walmsley. With his number of overs objective reached he was seen in lengthy conversation with the chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee.

Hadlee would not be drawn on his selection for next Tuesday's third Test at Hamilton, but did tell CricInfo, "we know we've got to find at least one new fast bowler. We've had a good observation in this game as we will do in the Wellington game which starts tomorrow against Pakistan. So, there's still a number of players on trial at the moment."

"We're pleased to see Shayne O'Connor back in action. He's the type of player we'd welcome back into the side because he swings the ball, he's left-arm, he's different, but clearly we've got to know what his match fitness is like and whether he can get through a workload of perhaps bowling 50 overs in a match."

The other bowler with a real Test chance, Brooke Walker, 24 on Sunday, took 2-19 from ten overs and was impressive in his limited opportunity on Monday with 2-15 off five. His flipper was working well, and Sir Richard commented, "he's bowled nicely. He did bowl well."

So, while CD prepare for their Perth test, it seems at least one other man on display here this week has his own Test to look forward to.

© CricInfo