Cricket: Spearman on standby for World XI matches against NZ

To the list of players being lined up for the World XI next week, add the name of former New Zealand batsman Craig Spearman.

Now qualified as an England domestic player for Gloucestershire, Spearman was yesterday put on standby for the World XI and will act as batting cover throughout the three-game series.

The Shane Warne-skippered world side will square off against New Zealand in the first one-dayer at Christchurch on Saturday, before continuing the series at Wellington next Monday, and at Hamilton on Wednesday week.

It was not clear last night whether the move to enlist Spearman was the result of an injury in the camp or simply a precautionary move.

New Zealand Cricket Players Association spokesman Heath Mills said last night that he expected Graeme Hick, Nick Knight, Andy Flower, Heath Streak and Lance Klusener, and the Sri Lankan contingent of Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara and Chaminda Vaas to start arriving on Thursday morning.

He expected that the Australian connection - Warne, Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Justin Langer, Ian Harvey and Matthew Elliot - would begin arriving on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

The last-minute call-up continues an enigmatic international career for Spearman, who played 51 one-day internationals for his country, but failed to score a century and finished with an average of 18.72.

He played his most recent ODI against Sri Lanka at Christchurch in 2001, scoring 5 after being rushed in to replace Nathan Astle, who had fallen ill with food-poisoning.

But Spearman's recent record in the England county championship and the domestic one-day competitions provides a hint of why he has again been placed on standby.

One of the stars of the Gloucestershire side previously coached by John Bracewell, Spearman added another impressive season of run-scoring to his county resume last year, scoring 1424 first-class runs at 56.96, and averaging 91.00 in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

Meanwhile, several World XI players underlined their strong form in the lead-up to the series against New Zealand, reinforcing the suggestion that the Black Caps will face some stiff opposition next weekend.

Queenslander Andy Bichel was the main headline act, propelling his Bulls' side to the finals of Australia's ING Cup competition with the consummate all-rounder's performance against New South Wales.

The 34-year came in at No 3 and slammed a quick 62 against NSW, then struck with two early wickets to leave the opposition's reply in tatters.

And in Perth, World XI batsman Matthew Elliot struck 77 as his Victoria side succumbed to Western Australia at the WACA, folding for 177 as they chased 205.

South African and Dolphins' all-rounder Lance Klusener also tasted some success, taking four for 80 in the first innings of the SuperSport match against Western Province-Boland at Newlands.

Mills said the World XI would play in "rainbow" coloured strips.