Cricket: Surprises on and off the field

Luke Ronchi's fine knock of 99 was the main on-field highlight for the Black Caps in the opening one day international against South Africa. Photo / John Borren

Captain backs amnesty on match-fixing

The sights and sounds behind the scenes of the one-day opener between the Black Caps and South Africa at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval this week were almost more interesting than the cricket.

While South Africa proved too strong in the first of three matches and most of the media attention focused on the balance of the Black Caps line-up heading towards next year's World Cup, many of the smaller matters got lost.

Brendon McCullum's answer to a question on Monday regarding the possibility of New Zealand players being offered an amnesty to report historic approaches by match-fixers in line with that extended to their Australian counterparts did not make many media reports, but was most interesting.

"I've only just found out about it, but I think it's a good idea," he said.

"Why not? Get it all out there and then we'll see what happens from there."

His answer to a question of whether he was aware of any other New Zealand players who had been approached raised eyebrows too.

"Um, I probably, that's not something ... you'll have to ask those guys. I've done what I've had to do and would hope that people in similar situations would do the same thing and perhaps an amnesty would be something that would bring that sort of information out.

"I guess it's a positive move from Australia heading into a World Cup ensuring there is no corruption in the game and hopefully that brings out the information that is required."

Outside, two former international spinners were working their way back to form at the bowling crease.

Daniel Vettori impressed with the ball against the South Africans after a steady build up, but it was the sight of Kane Williamson bowling off-spin in the nets that inspired the most speculation.

The 24-year-old sent down a few "red herrings" in the form of left arm off-spin before revealing a new right arm action that only barely resembled the action he was banned from using by the ICC.

The New Zealand camp was unsure when any subsequent testing would take place, but McCullum was confident his leading batsman would soon be returned to all-rounder status.

A number of fans from the Central and Eastern Bay of Plenty - including a contingent of Central United players - travelled over for the day and many will again be hoping for good weather tomorrow for the second one-day match at the Bay Oval.

Those who make the trip would be well served by bringing provisions - $10 for a 420ml coke and hot chips from a Wellington food truck is no one's idea of a good deal.

Popli in Knights squad

Bay of Plenty Indians batsman Bharat Popli has been named in the opening Northern Knights squad for the first Plunket Shield game of the season.

Popli joins fellow Bay of Plenty players Daniel Flynn, Joe Carter, Graeme Aldridge and Tony Goodin in the 12-man squad for the match against the Auckland Aces at Whangarei's Cobham Oval.

A number of Black Caps, including Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Dean Brownlie and Corey Anderson were unavailable.

Northern Knights squad: Daniel Flynn (captain), Anton Devcich, Joe Carter, Daryl Mitchell, Bharat Popli, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ish Sodhi, Graeme Aldridge, Tony Goodin, James Baker.

- Tim Royal