Cricket: McCullum injury scare

Bredon McCullum damaged his back in India and it is still bothering him. Photo / Getty Images

Brendon McCullum's involvement in the early stages of the Pakistan cricket tour is in jeopardy.

New Zealand's most explosive batsman was yesterday ruled out of the remainder of Otago's HRV Cup programme due to a lingering back injury. That layoff stretches to December 29.

He damaged his back minutes before the third test against India at Nagpur began on November 20 but played. He sat out the first two ODIs which followed before returning for the last three, to limited effect.

New Zealand Cricket were quiet on developments last night but a statement from the Otago association said the move was "the most commonsense approach for Brendon to rest to give him the best possible opportunity of taking a full part in the upcoming international series".

McCullum played one cup game for Otago, against Canterbury on Wednesday but it appears the injury, while not necessarily worsening, is also not markedly improving.

So his chances of being ready for the three T20s against Pakistan, starting at Eden Park on Boxing Day, must be borderline.

The rule of thumb understood to apply is that if there's a risk to McCullum's back looking ahead towards the two tests in the first half of January, the subsequent six ODIs and the World Cup in February-March, a cautious approach will be taken.

And there could be developments for New Zealand's other preferred limited-overs opener, Jesse Ryder.

The big Wellington lefthander is just back in action after leaving the Indian tour early with a calf injury.

All his 24 ODIs have been as an opener, and produced an average of 33.09, with one hundred and three fifties.

However, New Zealand's difficulties against spin in India might lead to a rethink for the ODIs against Pakistan, and perhaps the World Cup.

Ryder is one of New Zealand's better players against the turning ball. There is serious consideration being given to trying him in the middle order, with the job of overseeing New Zealand's batting through the second half of their innings.

The usual call when New Zealand's batting is in a trough is to push McCullum back down the order.

Captain Dan Vettori admitted to some sympathy for McCullum in that regard.

"I do feel sorry for Brendon because it's the first suggestion [that is made]," Vettori said.

"It's tough on him and I think he's a real asset at the top of the order in the World Cup. Jesse is such a good player of spin, and with his finishing qualities as well we've put a little more thought into him batting at No 4 in the one-dayers."

Pakistan are certain to try to put New Zealand in a spin in the coming six ODIs and there's sure to be a welter of slow bowling tossed at them during the World Cup on pitches which will help the spinners.

Pakistan arrive in Auckland tomorrow ahead of their T20 warmup game against Auckland at Colin Maiden Park on Thursday afternoon.

Given the sensitivities surrounding the Pakistanis, with spot-fixing allegations which have had suspensions landed on three senior players and questions raised over several others, officials have banned the players from using either Twitter or Facebook.

"The measure is for players' safety," manager Intikhab Alam said yesterday.

"They are prone to danger if the wrong person gets access to their information, whereabouts and so on."

The Pakistan board described it as a move "for their own good, so that they don't get entangled into controversies."