Black Caps cricket coach John Bracewell is planning his attack on Australia without one of his big guns who helped shoot down the world champions in their previous meeting.
Bracewell is resigned to being without his key allrounder Scott Styris, whose recurring back injury has persisted, for tomorrow's Champions Trophy
semifinal in Mohali.
However, the good news for Bracewell is that strike bowler Shane Bond has shown signs of more improvement to his back.
Styris remained on the sidelines while the Blacks Caps went through their best practice sessions of the tournament for two days away from the spotlight in Delhi.
"He hasn't been able to practice, he's not likely to play," Bracewell told NZPA last night.
The team were to travel back to Mohali from Delhi last night.
Bracewell was hoping to start adding the little but crucial details of their strategies as soon as he has had a look at the playing surface.
"I don't know whether we'd be using the same one (strip) we played on the other day. There's a few there and it depends on which one they choose for our game, I think there is one that is much greener than the other two."
Whichever is used, both teams know their pace bowlers will be the key to success.
Without Styris, New Zealand will find it even harder to match Australia's five-pronged pace attack of Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Bracken, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson. All took wickets against India yesterday to put their team into the semifinal.
"We're playing well, too," Bracewell said.
Styris was lucky to travel to the tournament after injuring his back at the tailend of the English season playing for Middlesex.
After missing the opening game, only a half-fit Styris dragged himself out and scored 1 against Sri Lanka. A few days later he topscored with 86, using a runner, to help New Zealand beat Pakistan by 51 runs which got them into the play-off.
Styris scored a century and took a wicket when the Black Caps reeled in the then-record 331 by Australia to beat them by two wickets in the third match of last December's Chappell-Hadlee series in Christchurch. It was the last match between the two sides.
"He played very well and he showed the other day what he's capable of in big games," Bracewell said.
Bracewell was encouraged though by paceman Shane Bond's further improvement.
He said Bond, who bowled his full quota against Pakistan after only seven overs against Sri Lanka, didn't show any sign of his back problem over the past two days despite increasing his workload at practice.
"He seems to be coming on well, fine," Bracewell said his main pace attack who has a history of back problems.
Bracewell might be tempted to throw Central Districts batsman Ross Taylor into the mix tomorrow.
The 22-year-old middle order batsman was flown to India as a cover for Styris and will only officially join the tour party if Styris is ruled out.
With players like James Franklin, Hamish Marshall and Peter Fulton failing to fire, Bracewell faces a selection dilemma.
- NZPA
Scott Styris
Black Caps cricket coach John Bracewell is planning his attack on Australia without one of his big guns who helped shoot down the world champions in their previous meeting.
Bracewell is resigned to being without his key allrounder Scott Styris, whose recurring back injury has persisted, for tomorrow's Champions Trophy
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