Cricket: Black Caps pin hopes on Marshall

MANCHESTER - New Zealand's cricket team need some inspiration and it may fall to a mop-haired lad from Warkworth called Hamish Marshall to provide it as their tri-series opens against England early tomorrow (1.30am NZT).

The tourists today named a squad of 12 for the day-nighter at Old Trafford, with spinner Daniel Vettori bracketed with veteran Chris Harris, and Ian Butler, Michael Papps and Gareth Hopkins omitted.

A decision will be made on Vettori's fitness just before play as he gets every last second to recover from his hamstring injury.

The only other new face from the 0-3 test series hiding is batsman Hamish Marshall, still buzzing from his dream debut summer and a welcome blast of fresh air for the tourists.

Marshall, as affable and relaxed an international cricketer as you'd ever meet, epitomised coach John Bracewell's new high energy approach as New Zealand won nine of their 11 one-dayers against Pakistan and South Africa at home this year.

Speedy between the wickets at No 3 and lurking in the key fielding spot of backward point, Marshall agreed it was partly on his shoulders to lift the side.

"Everyone's got their strengths and you have to use those to try and help the team out," Marshall said today, fresh from a warmup knock of 111 off 97 balls against Essex at the weekend.

"For me it's my fielding and running, and if I can boost the team then that's great.

"We had a good chat as a team the other day and at the moment everyone's so keen, spirits are up, and the boys are ready to go."

Marshall's flying start to international cricket tailed off a fraction against South Africa, but he still averages 41.30 from 16 appearances, the best of the New Zealand lineup.

It will be his first match against England at a near sellout Old Trafford and first look at Stephen Harmison, the world's form fast bowler.

But it seems little fazes Marshall, 25, who confessed last year that he felt far more comfortable in international cricket than in domestic play where he is yet to score a first-class century.

"I try to keep it nice and simple, that's how my game's evolved. I don't think about too much, then I'd probably get myself in a bit of trouble," he said.

New Zealand, who welcome back Nathan Astle for his first one-day international since last year's World Cup and James Franklin for his first one-dayer in two years, would have few better chances to knock over England who now have to deal with injury problems.

Key allrounder Andrew Flintoff could miss the entire NatWest Series with a foot injury, while prolific opener Marcus Trescothick remained doubtful with a sprained ankle.

Anthony McGrath, who averages 20.42 with the bat and 63 with the ball from 10 one-dayers, was Flintoff's likely replacement while Robert Key, who scored dual centuries for Kent against New Zealand last month, would replace Trescothick.

The other doubt is the weather, which covered all four seasons today as New Zealand's outdoor training was foiled by rain.

A cold front is blanketing most of England and there was unsettled weather forecast here. There is no reserve day, with New Zealand having to back up quickly for their second match against West Indies in Birmingham on Saturday night (NZT).

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said the team were more comfortable in the one-day game, with their world ran