Cricket: Harris in the mix for Black Caps

1.00pm

Veteran allrounder Chris Harris looks set to get a crack at Australia in tomorrow night's crucial ICC Champions Trophy match in London.

The Black Caps take on their arch rivals at the Oval (starting 9pm NZT), with the winner going through to the first knockout round.

Coach John Bracewell is yet to announce his lineup for the game, but admits Harris is likely to be in the mix.

Bracewell says pitch conditions look likely to favour Harris's bowling style. He says they need bowlers who hit the right areas consistently on what is expected to be a tennis ball-type pitch.

Bracewell will name his lineup overnight.

And the Black Caps look set to move away from a successful recipe against Australia.

Traditionally, New Zealand's best results against Australia have come when the kiwi side bowls first. However, Bracewell says conditions are currently handing a major advantage to the side batting first, meaning the toss will be absolutely vital.

Bracewell feels two factors could contribute to an upset win over the world No 1.

With both sides having beaten the United States, the encounter effectively serves as a knockout quarterfinal match.

But if weather interferes, Australia have the advantage by virtue of their better result against the hapless Americans

Australia have the better net run rate of 7.13 to New Zealand's 4.20.

"We have a distinct advantage over Australia in terms of the fact we have played one game on the Oval already on a fresh pitch and we completed the majority of the game.

"Even though it was against the United States, we were able to bat 50 overs and therefore our batters got a reasonable feel for the pace of the pitch."

Bracewell told NZPA he was pleased most of the top order batted against the US and at the way opener Nathan Astle showed he was back in form.

"So there are some things that give us an advantage going into the game.

"Australia clearly are the favourites -- but if you can get the edge and, hopefully, having played on the pitch and on the ground previously will give us that edge and knowledge to win the match."

Bracewell felt the toss would be crucial tomorrow because of overhead conditions.

"It has been raining on and off here hard in the evenings for the last three or four days."

With the flat covers over the block, this meant moisture would be drawn up.

Describing the pitch as spongy and "tennis ball-ish" Bracewell said with the moisture, the ball would seam a bit and do a little bit off the wicket in the first few overs of the match and that might even continue throughout the match.

"Anybody at this time of the year, given the overhead conditions, would want to bowl first."

That would mean New Zealand's bowlers would have to accurate.

He was looking to them to produce deliveries with consistent line and length. Bowlers such as Harris, Jacob Oram, and Daniel Vettori would have key roles to play.

"It doesn't neccessarily mean we bowl with genuine pace, put it that way."

It was not going to be about the fastest bowlers being the most successful in these conditions.

"It's about the most accurate -- line and length will be important."

Bracewell said he had a full squad to select from with Darryll Tuffey recovering well from severe bruising to the knee from diving in the field.

Training today and yesterday had been disrupted by passing showers and wet outfields, but the team were trying to stay as relaxed as possible and " not get too intense about the whole deal" as they sought to break a string of losses to Australia.

He said he would not be surprised if Australian skipper Rocky Ponting did not field four quicks -- Glen McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Brett Lee -- against New Zealand as he did against the rout of the

- Newstalk ZB, NZPA