Cricket: Papps to open for Black caps

Michael Papps

CAPE TOWN - Michael Papps has been chosen to be the Black Caps' latest opener as New Zealand try another combination at the top of the order against South Africa.

Papps and his Canterbury provincial team-mate Peter Fulton -- who made an inauspicious debut as an opener last week scoring 14 and four -- have been confirmed as the players tasked to blunt the new ball when the second test against the Proteas starts at Newlands tonight NZ time.

Dwarfed by the almost 2-metre high Fulton, the diminutive Papps faces the tallest of orders as he confronts a South African pace attack sensing blood after twice causing carnage at Centurion.

To complicate matters Papps has a history of being sconed by short balls and he has had little cricket of late, his only involvement on this tour a brief innings of six against the Rest of South Africa in Johannesburg on April 8.

Papps, who averages 24.57, made his test debut against South Africa in Hamilton in 2004 and played his latest test against England at Headingly later that year.

He saw off the challenge of Jamie How, who averaged 19 in his debut series against the West Indies last month.

Fleming said the latest change at the top order -- necessitated by Hamish Marshall's rib injury -- was not ideal as the Black Caps continued to establish solidity at the ever-changing top of the order.

"The openers are an area of concern. We've got to wait until someone comes along that has good statistics behind them and is a good opening bat," he said.

But he said the elevation of Papps was straightforward, if still another stop-gap measure.

"At the moment our best batsmen are on tour -- and it's a case of finding a position for them," Fleming said.

Tinkering with the opening combination is the only definitive change to a Black Caps starting line-up that slumped to a 128-run defeat in last week's first test.

Shane Bond's retreat to Christchurch ensured the seam attack remained unchanged although skipper Stephen Fleming admitted consideration has been given to playing two spinners -- Daniel Vettori and uncapped Wellingtonian Jeetan Patel.

Patel was named in the 12 with Fleming and coach John Bracewell to make a final decision on his involvement shortly before the toss.

While satisfied with the bowling options at his disposal Fleming said batting was the obvious area that had to be addressed after the twin capitulations at Centurion.

"We lack a little bit of grunt but there's a group of bowlers that still provide enough challenges for the South African batsmen and opportunities for us to win a test.

"The onus is on us first and foremost to get runs on the board. We've been able to bowl well enough to win test matches against the West Indies but we've got to consistently get more runs from the top order."

Although the New Zealand top order slumped to 45 for five and 28 for six on the highveld, South African coach Mickey Arthur insisted his side would not be complacent as they attempt to wrap up the series.

"We're in a nice position to be in," he admitted.

"We were under the kosh all season with Australia and guys have now stepped up but I've reminded them I think New Zealand is going to hit us really hard.

"We still regard them highly and if we're not on top of our game they'll expose us."

Arthur said South Africa had not yet decided which choice to make providing captain Graeme Smith won the toss.

Although the weather has been beautifully fine for the last three days, dew has still dampened the outfield long past the scheduled start time of 10am -8pm NZ time.

"We'll have a look (tomorrow) and make a final decision. If the outfield is wet, the ball won't swing and it can be hard for the bowlers to keep control of," Arthur said.

"It looks a really good wicket and we'd probably like to make good use of it and bat first."

The Proteas were considering dropping spinner Nicky Boje to accommodate a fourth front line seamer in Andre Nel but after inspecting the wicket Arthur has gone cool on the idea believing a slow bowler would be vital later in the contest.

However, the South African team will only be confirmed shortly before the start of play.

New Zealand:
Michael Papps, Peter Fulton, Stephen Fleming (capt), Scott Styris, Nathan Astle, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel, (12th man to be named).

South Africa (squad):
Graeme Smith (capt), Boeta Dippenaar, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Nicky Boje, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Ruldolph, Andre Nel, Andrew Hall.

- NZPA