Pace bowler Shane Bond remains in doubt for New Zealand's next ICC Champions Trophy cricket match against Sri Lanka on Friday due to a continuing back problem.
Black Caps coach John Bracewell said Bond bowled seven overs in a light workout at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, overnight (NZ
time) and still felt a bit stiff.
"There is very limited pain (in the back), but he is getting some restriction on his left side," Bracewell said.
He said they were in contact with a specialist in New Zealand and the Canterbury paceman would have another bowl overnight, unless the stiffness persisted.
Bond, 31, has a history of back problems and missed the Black Caps' opening match in the tournament against South Africa yesterday. The Black Caps won by 87 runs.
Meanwhile, all rounder Scott Styris remained in doubt for Sri Lanka with a back strain and slight hamstring twinge.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be asked to shift the tournament final from the Brabourne Stadium, venue of New Zealand's first two games, if the wicket does not improve.
The Black Caps played their low-scoring match there yesterday and were scheduled to meet the Sri Lankans on the same pitch on Friday.
Cricket Club of India (CCI) president Raj Singh Dungarpur, whose club oversees the Brabourne Stadium, said he was unhappy with the dusty wicket that came under fire from South African captain Graeme Smith and his West Indian counterpart Brian Lara yesterday.
"With the monsoon having just ended, our staff did not get enough time to prepare good wickets for the tournament," Dungarpur said.
"We will see how the wicket behaves on Wednesday (tonight NZ time) when Australia plays the West Indies. If it still has low bounce, I will put my hands up.
"I will ask the ICC to shift the final, scheduled to be held here on November 5, to some other venue."
Lara's West Indies could only muster 80 runs against Sri Lanka at Brabourne Stadium on Saturday and yesterday Smith slammed the pitch after his team went down to New Zealand.
"The pitch broke up, the ball turned a hell of a lot. I don't think the pitches are going to provide 100 overs of good cricket," said Smith, whose side is ranked second behind Australia in the one-day game.
"We went on the information of what we had seen, experienced last year around summer time.
"Obviously the wicket deteriorated as the day went on, batting second was very difficult. I don't think that as far as international cricket is concerned, the wicket was of good standard."
Fleming was more diplomatic.
"I don't think anyone expected it will be this tough and certainly the curators have to think what they are preparing for the coming matches," he said.
"One or two anti-climatic games are okay but if the whole tournament is like that, then it will be tough on the viewers."
New Zealand, who were restricted to 195, hit back to bowl South Africa out for 108 in 34.1 overs as the ball kept low and spun alarmingly.
"We take pride in the wickets we have prepared in the past at the Brabourne Stadium," Dungarpur said.
"So it pains me to see it behave like this.
"I can't blame anyone. My staff have tried their best to make a sporting wicket in the short time available. But it has not worked."
- NZPA
Shane Bond
Pace bowler Shane Bond remains in doubt for New Zealand's next ICC Champions Trophy cricket match against Sri Lanka on Friday due to a continuing back problem.
Black Caps coach John Bracewell said Bond bowled seven overs in a light workout at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, overnight (NZ
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.