Cricket: Bracewell lays down cards in strong batting lineup

1.00pm

New Zealand cricket coach John Bracewell confidently declared his hand today as he named one of the tourists' strongest test batting lineups in recent memory.

In contrast to the cruel luck to befall England, with their captain Michael Vaughan in doubt with a freak knee injury but not yet ruled out, Bracewell bucked tradition by naming his side 48 hours out from Thursday's first test at Lord's.

Captain Stephen Fleming was predictably named for the first time in his 82-test career as an opening batsman while Nathan Astle will take Fleming's place at the equally unfamiliar role of No 3.

Michael Papps, Shane Bond and Kyle Mills missed the cut -- speedster Bond with an eye to having him ready for the second test in a fortnight.

All bar wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum of the top-nine have a test century to their name and Bracewell was buoyed by the chance to name a lineup with a licence to thrill.

"We feel we've got an exceptionally strong middle order and it's a matter of fitting them in in an order that best suited those individuals," Bracewell said.

"Three, four, five you could switch them around in any order and come up with probably the same attacking options. That's by nature how they play the game and I'm more than happy with that."

Bracewell didn't see it as a risk to move his two premier batsmen up a place, and said both had stated a desire to shift there.

Fleming has forged an imposing record opening the batting in one-day cricket in the past 18 months while Astle also prospered at three at the World Cup last year. Both though will have to deal with the new ball at a seamer-friendly Lord's a lot earlier than they are accustomed.

On paper it is an imposing top five, with Fleming averaging 38.08, Mark Richardson 46.32, Astle 39.04, Scott Styris 46.36 and Craig McMillan 41.80.

One concern is Fleming's fitness -- he is still struggling with his painful hip flexor injury which Bracewell admitted "wasn't entirely sorted out".

The lack of a final big shakedown against Kent at Canterbury, when the test lineup without Fleming collapsed meekly to 41 for five in their second innings, was also brushed off.

"We're very well prepared over the last few days. The guys have flicked a switch, they've picked up the pace. We have the ability to switch on when need be and use the warmup games as required," Bracewell said, adding there was no need to delay the naming of the side as it was finalised and announced to the players yesterday.

One thing Bracewell wouldn't reveal is the equally competitive race for places six to eight where Chris Cairns, McCullum and Jacob Oram were named in that order.

McCullum was strangely promoted to six during the South Africa series in March despite not having the credentials of Cairns and Oram.

Then, Bracewell staunchly defended Oram's demotion to eight despite his outstanding recent form and average of 42.50 from 10 tests, although the coach was more cryptic today.

"The players are very aware of what order they'll be going in, and under what circumstance. It could change, should we require."

England, meanwhile, were sweating on Vaughan's fitness.

Nasser Hussain, who captained England in the previous two series against New Zealand in 1999 and 2002, said Vaughan was much improved after wrenching his knee at net practice yesterday and being stretchered off.

"Vaughny's up and about this morning, I hope he recovers because he's led the side very well and he's a class player," Hussain said.

"Any side needs their captain as we saw with Flem at the weekend. It's not ideal going into a test match without your captain."

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin.

- NZPA