Adrian Seconi

It is not quite the crisis New Zealand Cricket is having to cope with but Otago has its own captaincy issue.

Otago coach Vaughn Johnson has sprung a surprise naming former Volts all-rounder James Fuller in a squad of 13 for his side's twenty/20 fixture against Northern Districts at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Friday night.

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates has hit a rich vein of form before the Rose Bowl series which starts in Sydney today. The Otago Sparks all-rounder has been in blistering form with the bat in the one-day tournament and has had just as much success with the ball.

Auckland is still the team to beat but Futsal South has closed the gap.

What the coach wants, the coach gets.

There is no doubt the just-retired Ricky Ponting was one of the most successful and uncompromising batsmen of his generation. But is he really the best his country has produced since the great Sir Don Bradman? Cricket writer Adrian Seconi ranks Australia's top 10 since the Don.

Former Otago Golf Club professional Simon Thomas is back on his old stomping ground and hoping to coach Waikato to glory at the interprovincial championships at Balmacewen this week.

Otago's winning streak came to a sudden halt at the interprovincial championships at the Otago Golf Club yesterday afternoon.

If anyone deserves a century in their 100th game, it is Katey Martin.

Neil Wagner sealed Otago's three-wicket win over Auckland by smashing veteran left-arm spinner Bruce Martin for a six.

Otago rebounded from a dramatic batting collapse to seize the momentum in its Plunket Shield game with Auckland at Eden Park.

Polly Inglis seems destined to shine on the sporting stage - but whether it is in cricket, hockey or football is not yet clear.

Nothing short of a miracle will suffice if Otago is to avoid defeat in its Plunket Shield match with Central Districts in Napier, Volts coach Vaughn Johnson says.

No doubt Steven Prince will be thinking Straitothepoolroom is a keeper if he can score his ninth career win, at the Phar Lap Raceway today.

Adam Milne was fast-tracked into international cricket two years ago because he has something you just cannot coach - pace.

Leading driver Dexter Dunn will seek his 1000th career win in New Zealand at Addington on Friday night.