Shayne O'Connor, fresh from last weekend's St Patrick's Day celebrations, celebrated by taking 4-22 for the New Zealand Selection XI against Central Districts at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln University today.

While the Test bowlers were hit around by Saqlain Mushtaq, for his first Test century, down the road at Christchurch's Jade Stadium, O'Connor helped roll New Zealand's premier one-day side for just 126 in 54.2 overs.

O'Connor, whose great-grandparents came to New Zealand from Ireland, told CricInfo, "I was shifting house on St Patrick's Day from Christchurch back down to Dunedin, so there was no time to celebrate."

Celebration time may have to wait until the weekend, when O'Connor will surely replace injured Chris Drum in the Test team.

He continued, "I was keen to bowl today because the more overs I get under my belt the more confidence I have."

Dayle Hadlee, who has helped O'Connor's rehabilitation after an eight week lay off with a patella tendon injury, and is chief of High Performance Centre at Lincoln, said cautiously, "There is a lot of work to be done. There's a big difference between bowling 12 overs in a day and bowling 30. But he did bowl nicely."

Brother Sir Richard, the key figure in O'Connor's selection for next Tuesday's Third Test against Pakistan told CricInfo, " He's done well, hasn't he? He's swinging it a bit."

Others to have good practice days were Lou Vincent, pushing for Nathan Astle's Test place, who made 63 out of the Selection XI's 124/2, after CD were dismissed by 3pm.

Canterbury's Jarrod Englefield (44) shared the 114 opening stand, continuing his late season form.

Bowlers who joined the party were the unlucky James Franklin, who took 1-25, but could have emulated fellow left-armer O'Connor's figures had he found the edge when beating the bat, which he did regularly. Brooke Walker's flipper that dismissed Sanjeewa Silva was a classy delivery, and Paul Wiseman looked like he had recovered from his First Test mauling against Pakistan.

The Stags' Michael Baumgart, after some big scores in the Hawke Cup, top-scored with 44. He is a business student, on the same course as David Kelly, at Lincoln University, and the "generous" Dayle Hadlee lets him use the facilities at the High Performance Centre when he likes. He put on 56 for the third wicket with Jamie How (31), before How was run out by a Kerry Walmsley throw from midwicket.

New Zealand Cricket have done well to organise this game, and the one-dayer on Wednesday, at short notice. It has not only benefitted Dipak Patel's Stags by giving them match practice prior to their appearance in the inaugural Champions Cup four-nation provincial one-day tournament in Perth starting on March 29th, but has given a number of Test, tour and contract prospects a chance to impress.

© CricInfo