State Auckland Aces coach and convener of selectors, Tony Sail, has today named a 12-man squad to play the New Zealand Academy team in two matches at the New Zealand Cricket High Performance Centre at Lincoln starting next Tuesday.

The team to be led for the first time by new captain, Brooke Walker includes seven players who have played for the CLEAR Black Caps. Twenty-three-year-old Steve Pearson, from the Waitakere Cricket Club earns selection for the State Auckland Aces for the first time. The talented wicket-keeper will oppose Reece Young who along with Nick Horsley and Sam Whiteman will play in the New Zealand Academy team against the State Auckland Aces.

"The matches against the New Zealand Academy team are an important part of our development for the State Series in 2001/02. The trip is also a valuable opportunity to put in place plans and protocols for the players for the new season", said Sail.

Not considered for selection were Dion Nash, Adam Parore, Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, currently on international duty with the CLEAR Black Caps in Australia and Richard Morgan because of work commitments.

The State Auckland Aces squad will complete their demanding pre-season conditioning programme this weekend with particiaption in the Auckland Half-Marathon on Sunday morning. The State Auckland Aces squad to travel to Christchurch on Monday evening is:

B Walker (captain)
A Adams
A Barnes
T Canning
C Drum
M Haslam
M Horne
L Howell
T McIntosh
K Mills
S Pearson
R Pudney

© Auckland Cricket Association