Cricket: Injury worries return for NZ ahead of tri-series final

By MARK GEENTY

SOUTHAMPTON - The Black Caps' medical staff are battling the end of a long tour as they race to have four key personnel fit for Saturday's tri-series final against the West Indies at Lord's.

Key allrounder Jacob Oram was given a rest for tonight's (9.45pm NZT) now meaningless final first round game against West Indies. Captain Stephen Fleming, Chris Cairns and Daryl Tuffey were all bracketed in order to have their injuries in the best shape for the 10-week tour finale.

"We're trying to get as many people as fit for Saturday as possible," coach John Bracewell explained.

Fleming and Cairns were bracketed in the captain's role while Tuffey was bracketed with fellow paceman James Franklin in the side named tonight, meaning a recall for opener Michael Papps and another chance for Chris Harris to take his elusive 200th wicket.

Bracewell said at this stage everyone was available for Saturday and it seems a combination of painkillers, the impending six-week break, and the enormity of the match will see all the injured brigade front up.

Oram, New Zealand's bowler of the tournament, earned a match off to rest his nagging side strain.

Cairns' ankle injury needs another rest, so if he is ruled out after a morning fitness test Fleming will play, despite the desire to rest the captain's hip flexor injury which has dogged him all tour.

Tuffey meanwhile, who hasn't played the past three matches with a thigh strain, would need the run tonight to prove his fitness for Saturday.

If he comes through, it would leave a race between Ian Butler and Franklin for the final pace bowling spot on Saturday, with Butler having shaded Franklin in the past two matches.

Butler's wicket-taking ability has been notable in the middle stages, and despite going at just under six runs an over had taken six wickets in two matches.

Allrounder Andre Adams, who was called in from the Lancashire league as cover, would remain as a substitute fielder tomorrow.

Bracewell said despite the walking wounded there was a desire to keep the pressure on West Indies tomorrow and extend their winning streak to nine.

They will move to No 2 in the world rankings if they win the final, and Bracewell said the team were already casting an eager eye forward to their Champions Trophy clash with Australia on September 16.

"The winning streak is important for our world ranking," Bracewell said.

"When we play Australia at The Oval it's important that we're one and two. There would be nothing better than to upset the Aussies and keep the heat on them."

West Indies qualified for the final with a match to spare by eliminating England at Lord's yesterday with a seven-wicket win.

It may be that both teams go into Lord's without another match, with a storm looming over England's south coast and dousing it with heavy rain today.

The Rose Bowl, England's newest international ground, was renowned as a bowler's paradise and any match may be a short one with the toss again playing a big part.

"Preparation-wise it'd be nice to be in a position to bat first, but looking at the wicket I'd say that would be a nonsense," Bracewell said.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming or Chris Cairns (captain), Michael Papps, Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori, Gareth Hopkins, Ian Butler, James Franklin or Daryl Tuffey.

West Indies (from): Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Ridley Jacobs, Carlton Baugh, Ian Bradshaw, Tino Best, Jermaine Lawson.

- NZPA