Cricket: Papps to bat at three

Recalled Black Caps batsman Michael Papps will not be rushed into opening the batting for New Zealand again.

Papps has been brought into the 13-man one day squad for the next two one dayers against Australia, replacing the struggling Mathew Sinclair.

Black Caps coach John Bracewell said they will put Papps at number three with Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming continuing to open, because they are by far, statistically, the best players.

Papps is sure we have not seen the last of Sinclair.

He knows what it is like to be in and out of a team, and it is not an easy situation, but he believes Sinclair is a good player who will be back.

However, Papps is relieved to be fit and healthy, having put in a lot of work to regain his place after recovering from a shoulder injury and, while he was disappointed at the time to lose his spot to injury, he is back to full fitness and things are going well for him.

Papps is hoping he can have a positive impact on the struggling Black Caps by carrying over his domestic form into the international arena and he is sure the team is more than capable of turning things around and winning the next three matches to take out the series.

Meanwhile Andre Adams also comes back into the squad to replace Scott Styris who is out with a knee injury and James Marshall retains his spot after he was called in as 12th man in Christchurch.

Auckland hosts the next one dayer on Saturday.

- Newstalk ZB