Cricket: Sick-list shocker limits the choice

By RICHARD BOOCK in Hamilton

Sir Richard Hadlee must sometimes feel like gagging at the mere sight of the team doctors, so frequently are his plans upset by their tidings.

New Zealand's chairman of selectors has been swamped by hard-luck stories at every turn, from heart problems to whiplash, and could now be forgiven for requesting a roll-call every morning to keep track.

It was much the same yesterday as the New Zealand side put the finishing touches on their preparations for tonight's series finale against India, the last one-day international for both sides before the World Cup starts next month.

Already on the back foot after confirmation that fast-bowler Shane Bond wasn't likely to play today, Hadlee was then hit by reports that replacement Michael Mason was injured and Brendon McCullum was in doubt as well.

The man who watched horrified as his touring squad for the previous visit to South Africa was ravaged by injury must have been feeling a touch of deja vu this week as one key player after another was struck down.

First was all-rounder Jacob Oram, then opener Nathan Astle, followed by Bond.

Now comes the doubt over McCullum, who has apparently been suffering from dizzy spells over the past couple of days.

The last straw for Hadlee was when he named Northern Districts' seamer Michael Mason as Bond's stand-by, only to discover about five minutes later that he, too, was injured and would not be available.

The uncertainty was the last thing New Zealand wanted as they try to find a compelling formula before the World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, who are starting to make their presence felt on the more South African-like pitches of Australia.

To make matters worse, the top-order batsmen are short on form, the bowling has flattered to deceive, and the general confidence of the side looks a shade fragile, as if they know the series against India has little bearing on what's likely to happen in South Africa next month.

"We've had enough setbacks," Hadlee said at Westpac Park yesterday.

"Every day there's been something else and now there's this news about McCullum having dizzy spells - what next?

"It's very frustrating because we don't have the necessary continuity. It tests us and challenges the character of everyone to come to terms with change, but it's not ideal."

As for the batsmen's form, Hadlee was convinced that the six-week player strike in October and November was still affecting key individuals, who were now finding themselves short on time in the middle.

The hiatus meant no spring-training camp for the players on the dry pitches of Canterbury, and made life difficult for them when the domestic competitions began on more sporting surfaces, only three weeks before the start of the Indian series.

"They had the chance to spend some time at the crease, to feel the ball in the middle of the bat, and possibly get some runs and confidence," Hadlee said.

"And the bowlers would have learned that they had to bowl well to get results.

"But when you start a domestic season you might have a couple of misses, a couple of unlucky decisions, a fiery track and then an injury - and then you're out of form and it's very hard to turn it around."

New Zealand seem likely to omit Hitchcock from their 12 today, meaning a return to the side for spinner Daniel Vettori, whose value has been somewhat negated by the seam-friendly nature of the pitches.

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said it was important for his team to win today's game to narrow the series-margin to 4-3, which he believed was more reflective of the difference between the two sides.



New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Mathew Sinclair, Chris Harris, Chris Cairns, Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Scott Styris, Kyle Mills, Andre Adams, Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond/Paul Hitchcock.

India (from): Sourav Ganguly (capt), Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Dinesh Mongia, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Sanjay Bangar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Parthiv Patel, Rakesh Patel.