Six points separate the Shell Trophy leaders, Wellington (on 18), and Northern Districts (third on the table) as the two sides prepare to do battle in the sixth round when the competition resumes tomorrow after a three-week break.

Northern have the home advantage at WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton. They have also recorded the same number of outrights as Wellington. Where the visitors have gained mid-competition ascendancy is in supplementing their two outrights with three first-innings victories and achieving a very healthy 14.735 net average per wicket.

However, the teams are in new territory in this match. Despite five of the ten rounds of the competition having been completed, Northern and Wellington are playing each other in the trophy this season for the first time.

The Northern Districts XI will be selected from Robbie Hart (captain), Graeme Aldridge, Mark Bailey, Grant Bradburn, Simon Doull, Matthew Hart, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Bruce Martin, Michael Parlane, Daryl Tuffey and Joseph Yovich.

Wellington have travelled north with Matthew Bell (captain), Richard Jones, Selwyn Blackmore, Grant Donaldson, Stephen Mather, Chris Nevin, Mayu Pasupati, Mark Jefferson, Jeetan Patel, Iain O'Brien, Mark Gillespie and Carl Bulfin.

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