Cricket: Concern over Oram and McMillan despite big win

8.20am

LEICESTER - New Zealand have renewed injury concerns over key allrounder Jacob Oram and batsman Craig McMillan to cast a shadow over their 328-run win in the second test shakedown here today.

The tourists jumped straight on their luxury bus to Leeds after skittling Leicestershire for 232 to complete a resounding win over a second-rate county side on the final day, highlighted by spinner Daniel Vettori's nine-wicket haul.

His five for 92 in the second innings was remarkably Vettori's first five-wicket bag in 2-1/2 years, since December 2001 against Australia in Perth.

But the joy over Vettori's overdue wicketfest was clouded by injury reports over Oram and McMillan who are still rated doubtful starters for Thursday's second test against England at Headingley.

It moved manager Lindsay Crocker to summon batsman Mathew Sinclair to Leeds as cover, from Norwich where he is playing in the East Anglian league.

Oram had been expected to be fit after suffering a side strain on the final day of the seven-wicket first test loss at Lord's, but a post match bowling session today set him back.

He felt a twinge while bowling with paceman Daryl Tuffey on the match pitch, and the sight of Oram striding angrily off the ground and sitting in quiet contemplation wasn't good for New Zealand.

"He bowled this morning without an issue. We wanted to see how he'd back up, he bowled again this afternoon and he did feel it a bit," Crocker said.

"He still feels it, and he's got a bit of settling down to do before he's a confirmed starter."

If Oram was ruled out from bowling, he could still be considered as a batsman after his excellent 67 at No 6 in the first test.

Captain Stephen Fleming confirmed "it was an option" already discussed by coach John Bracewell.

McMillan was confirmed to have re-fractured his left little finger after being hit by medium pacer Darren Maddy, which forced him to retire hurt for 68 yesterday.

Crocker said McMillan was still in pain, but because it was the same injury as he suffered early in the tour there was hope he might be fit.

McMillan was to have a batting session tomorrow and a decision on his test place would be left up to him.

"It will be based on how comfortable he is, and really only he can confirm that," Crocker said.

Fleming was left with mixed feelings from the Grace Road ground after a classy batting double of 56 and 95.

"Jacob's pretty important for us and he's a concern, and of course Craig. He's played a lot of games and you need that in big test matches," Fleming said.

"Hopefully over the next couple of days they'll come right and we'll get some positive news."

New Zealand took 54 overs to polish off the Leicestershire second innings today after they resumed on 68 for two chasing a mammoth 561 to win.

Vettori took the last four wickets to fall with some good variation, including the scalp of topscorer and former England batsman Darren Maddy, who was ninth out for 87.

Kyle Mills chimed in with three for 51 but was again expensive while Chris Martin and Chris Cairns both bowled tighter lines.

All the batsmen except Scott Styris now have runs under their belt, but the injury worries and still unconvincing effort from the pace attack were more notable.

"There's still areas we have to tidy up and we're not totally comfortable with and they have to do with the ball," Fleming said, adding the aim was to frustrate the English batsmen out this week.

"It's all about building pressure. We adopted a more defensive approach in this game, just to get in line with the way we think it needs to be played at Headingley with the up and down pitch."

- NZPA