Cricket: Black Caps top-order reshuffle on cards

Hamish Marshall could miss out through injury.

CAPE TOWN - Hamish Marshall's breathing difficulties could force yet another change in the New Zealand cricket team's malfunctioning top order.

The makeshift opener is in doubt for the second test against South Africa starting at Sahara Park here on Thursday, after suffering rib damage inflicted by Proteas' speedster Makhaya Ntini during his brave second innings effort at Centurion last week.

Marshall has been under pressure to keep his place since a less than impressive transition to opener in the West Indies series, but it is injury that appears to leave the door ajar for either Michael Papps or Jamie How.

The specialist openers were overlooked for the first test, as coach John Bracewell opted for Marshall and rookie No 3 three Peter Fulton. But wickets again fell early as Ntini and Dale Steyn gave the Black Caps a swift working over at SuperSport Park.

While Bracewell was impressed with Fulton's technique and character in the first innings -- where he scored 14 -- the coach admitted Marshall was in doubt despite a resolute knock which saw him eighth out for 25 as the Black Caps fell short of their victory target by 128 runs.

"Hamish was fighting for his life in the second innings and showed some real character," Bracewell said, before sounding a note of caution.

"We still need to finalise that decision (on who will open). It may be based on the fact that Hamish has got cracked ribs and he may not have recovered in time.

"Until see how Hamish is breathing once he starts pumping it, we won't be able to make a decision on selection.

"He's feeling a lot better but he's still resting to heal. As soon as he starts running we'll know the extent of the damage."

Ideally the Black Caps medical staff will get a gauge on the progress of Marshall and a trio of players with knee problems -- Shane Bond, James Franklin and Nathan Astle -- at training later today though atrocious weather looks likely to keep the team holed up in their hotel or the nearby gym.

New Zealand were meant to train for the first time yesterday after three rest days but net practice was impossible due to swamp-like conditions at Newlands.

The tourists were offered use of an indoor net but management declined on the basis it offers artificial conditions for batsmen and could be detrimental to an already injury-troubled bowling attack.

A swollen right knee kept Bond out of the first test, while knee niggles for left arm seamer Franklin and change bowler Astle are not considered serious.

Bond's recovery is keenly anticipated by the Black Caps who patently lacked the troubling express pace of Ntini and Steyn in the opening encounter.

The fast bowler was confident of being available providing he negotiated at least two net sessions.

"It's coming along really well ... It feels like it's settled down but the true test will be once I start running around.

"I'll probably know within a couple of overs if it's going to flare back up."

Bond revealed he was considering playing at Centurion despite his "minor" injury.

"We spoke about playing (at Centurion) with a local anaesthetic but it got to the point I was too sore and decided it wasn't worth the risk."

- NZPA