Cricket: Spinning options top priority for Black Caps

Jeetan Patel is primed to make a home-town international debut in today's one-day cricket match against Sri Lanka with the offspinner named in the Black Caps 12-man squad.

The team was named last night with Patel the likely super sub depending on the wicket's condition when the covers are lifted.

Besides Patel, returning skipper Stephen Fleming and swing bowler James Franklin are the other changes to the team that clinched the series in Christchurch on Tuesday.

When the squad was reselected for the remaining two matches here and in Napier on Sunday, Patel replaced Franklin, who was then reinstated when Kyle Mills withdrew with a groin strain.

Fleming comes in for fellow top-order batsman Nathan Astle who was controversially dropped after his match winning 90 at Jade Stadium.

Patel debuted on last year's tour to Africa playing two tri-series games in Zimbabwe and the series opener against South Africa where he took four wickets, while he also impressed with his stint bowling at the death.

The Black Caps selectors are looking for a back-up to fellow spinner Daniel Vettori with the low, slow wickets the team will face at the 2007 World Cup in West Indies a influential factor.

Fleming confirmed yesterday that Patel, 25, was in the mix, but whether he'd be tossed the ball in the dying overs was another matter.

"That's something we haven't discussed but's in the reckoning, " said Fleming who starts the game on 6978 runs in his 247th match.

"With the way the pitch works at the stadium, it can be a little bit slower and we do need to find out some information about death bowling, which has been highlighted throughout the games we've played this summer.

"He's been impressive for the New Zealand side at times, and he's certainly got the skill there that we'd like to find out more about."

Patel warmed up for his recall with Wellington's State Shield match against Auckland here on Wednesday taking one for 60 from his 10 overs.

He's played 49 first-class matches taking 93 wickets averaging just over 40.

The final two games in the five-match series have been consigned to deadrubber status following the Black Caps victories in Queenstown on Saturday and in Christchurch.

They received a big advantage when last year's win over the tourists was carried over before they departed for home early following the Boxing Day tsunami.

Having sealed the series, Fleming, who returns as skipper after paternity leave said while a clean-sweep was in their sights, developing options within the squad was also equally important 14 months out from the World Cup.

"The World Cup buzz word has been around for some time and on the outside it may not be noticeable, but the selections have reflected that.

"Now it's time for tactics in the middle to reflect that as well. We're certainly aware of it, obviously working towards it as any sports team does, but you can't be remiss (about the current series).

"Winning game by game and series by series -- the team demands it and the public demands it that's what we've also been aware of."

Despite an improved effort at Christchurch with 20-year-old Upul Tharanga starring with a century and some sharp catching, the Sri Lankans still look rooted in a form slump while a confidence crisis encircles the team.

A sports psychologist will join the team in Melbourne ahead of the VB tri-series commencing next week to help resurrect the side that has lost eight from their last nine matches, but coach Tom Moody was confident there were no major problems afflicting the side.

The players were still buoyed, but aspects such as sloppy fielding and bowling no-balls were costing the side he said yesterday.

Moody also sights the toss as being crucial with New Zealand successful the previous two games which plays into their hands naming a specialist batsman as a super sub which enchances their chase.

"Winning the toss will also be a bonus because with the way the rules are at the moment you're gifted an advantage on the toss of a coin," Moody said.

"They obviously have a set plan, and why wouldn't you with the way things are at the moment where they can play the extra batsman, and they can bat that deep with Vettori coming in at 10 and chasing which is the ideal way to win the game with the way the one-day game is structured."

The match starts at 2pm.

Teams:

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Jamie How, Lou Vincent, Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Jeetan Patel.

Sri Lanka from: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tiilakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Farveez Maharoof, Russel Arnold, Malinga Bandara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Avishka Gunawardene, Lasith Malinga, Chaminda Vaas, Jehan Mubarak, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando.

- NZPA