Cricket: Fleming in, Astle and McMillan out of team to face Sri Lanka

Stephen Fleming has been named captain and Daniel Vettori vice captain. Picture / Simon Baker

Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan have been axed from the New Zealand cricket team for the first two one-dayers against Sri Lanka from December 31.

Both senior members of the Black Caps have been struggling for for decent scores.

Hamish Marshall, another under-achieving batsman, has survived the cut.

Central Districts captain Jamie How and Canterbury No 3 Peter Fulton have been named in the squad of 13 for the first two of four games on December 31 (Queenstown) and January 3 (Christchurch).

Stephen Fleming returns to captain the side. He missed the three-match series against Australia after a cancer scare and doubts when he broke a finger this week.

Also back in the team is fast bowler Shane Bond, who missed the series against Australia when he suffered a hamstring problem.

 

"Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan have not been selected due to recent form," Black Caps coach John Bracewell said.

"We felt they should return to domestic cricket to work on their batting before being re-considered for selection.

"Jamie How and Peter Fulton have been selected after showing consistent form in domestic cricket and New Zealand A over an extended period."

How is the only new cap. Fulton has played one one-dayer for New Zealand, scoring nine from 10 balls.

Bracewell said time was right to start creating competition in the team for World Cup places.

James Marshall, James Franklin and Chris Martin have, as expected, been replaced by Fleming, Andre Adams and Bond.

"The selectors were unanimous in the decision to select Hamish Marshall. We acknowledge his recent lack of form but believe he will turn it around," Bracewell said.

"We were also conscious of the need to retain continuity within the squad and not to make wholesale changes."

The series against Sri Lanka is a continuation of last year's abandoned five-match series. The Black Caps will begin the series with one win.

Black Caps: Stephen Fleming (captain), Daniel Vettori (vice captain), Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Peter Fulton, Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent.

- NZPA