Leicestershire batsman Ben Smith will captain State Central Districts in this year's State Championship.

Smith, who next season will play for Worcestershire, was one of the most successful batsman in last year's competition.

He takes over from the injured Jacob Oram who was recovering from a broken bone in his foot but who has suffered another injury to his foot. and who is hopeful of being fit again in time for the domestic one-day competition which starts in January.

Campbell Furlong returns after spending last season overseas.

CD will play Auckland in the first round of the Championship at Eden Park's Outer Oval starting on Monday.

New players to the side include Richard Scragg and Richard King, who have both previously played for Auckland.

The CD team, named today by selectors Basil Netten (convener), Dipak Patel and Barry Roberts, is: Ben Smith (captain - Hawke's Bay), David Kelly (Hawke's Bay), Richard Scragg (Taranaki), Richard King (Hawke's Bay), Jamie How (Manawatu), Campbell Furlong (Taranaki), Bevan Griggs (Manawatu), Ewen Thompson (Wairarapa), Andrew Schwass (Nelson), Michael Mason (Manawatu), Brent Hefford (Marlborough), Lance Hamilton (Hawke's Bay).

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