Canterbury's experience should be crucial factor

It's Shell Cup final time again and I have to say I was really pleased see the Canterbury Draught side make it through to the Shell Cup final for another chance to win the title.

Pleasing for the players yes, but even more so to see Garry MacDonald have a chance in his last season to go out on top and this is what he deserves.

Following on from Denis Aberhart was always going to be tough but in his own style Macca has achieved a tremendous amount for the province and in his time brought through some good young players.

A passionate cricketing man from Marlborough he is but he will be remembered for his huge contribution to Canterbury cricket.

With CD being Canterbury's final opponents I have to admit I don't really know many of the CD players and you have to take your hat off to an inexperienced side making it through to our domestic showpiece.

This is where the sides differ as CD haven't been in a final for some time and the experience Canterbury has should get them through. But first they will have to contest what will be a very enthusiastic CD side.

Under the old rules, a one-off final would have suited CD but with best of three Canterbury should come out on top even if they have a hiccup in one game.

There has been some speculation over Dan Vettori's comeback but I'm sure everyone at New Zealand Cricket will have his best interests at heart and he will be back at the right time and not before.

It will be great to see him back as he's a class player and will give the side some much needed experience in the bowling attack.

The Sri Lankans arrive here on Saturday and will bring with them their own style of swashbuckling cricket. They have some explosive players at the top of the batting order and can, at times, be hard to contain. They also have Muttiah Muralitharan, who I think is the best off spin bowler in the game.

Some good opposition for the Black Caps and after the disappointment of Zimbabwe I know the guys will be looking to get back on the winning way.