One of last year's star performers for the State Wellington side, right-arm medium-fast bowler Iain O'Brien is not in the side to start the defence of the State Championship title against Canterbury at Rangiora on Monday.

O'Brien took 41 wickets at 18.68 in last year's series and was a key part of Wellington's success. However, he is battling injury at the moment and his place in the squad has been taken by Hutt Valley player Ash Turner.

Turner was a member of the successful New Zealand Maori team which won the Pacifica Cup tournament in Auckland last summer.

The side is captained by Richard Jones in the absence of Matthew Bell, who is touring with the CLEAR Black Caps in Australia.

Rhys Morgan, who made his debut against Pakistan last summer in the last game of Wellington's season, is also in the side.

The full side is: Richard Jones (captain), Phil Chandler, Selwyn Blackmore, Grant Donaldson, Rhys Morgan, Chris Nevin, James Franklin, Matthew Walker, Andrew Penn, Jeetan Patel, Ash Turner, Mark Jefferson.

© CricInfo