Cricket: Styris in doubt with foot injury

1.00pm - By MARTYN WATTERSON

CHITTAGONG - Scott Styris is in doubt for the Black Caps second cricket test against Bangladesh starting here today after the all-rounder suffered a foot injury.

Styris was named by Black Caps coach John Bracewell yesterday but his place in the starting 11 is subject to a fitness test at the MA Aziz Stadium before play begins at 9.30am (4.30pm NZT).

If the Northern Districts player is ruled out, Hamish Marshall, 12th man in the first test will start his second test.

The other players from the first test make up the remainder of the side. If Marshall replaces Styris, either Kyle Mills or Chris Martin will be 12th man.

"Scotty didn't know what happened. He just woke up this morning and wasn't able to put a lot of weight on his foot," Bracewell told NZPA yesterday.

"He'll have a fitness test tomorrow, and if he's ruled out we'll be playing six batters with Hamish Marshall brought in."

Bracewell confirmed the injury was not serious and Styris would be available for the three one-day internationals starting on November 3.

If Styris does miss today's test, the bowling balance will not be too disrupted with Black Caps spinners Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman expected to deliver most of the overs.

"I think having a look at the wicket the spinners will once again be the main force in the match.

"The team is also about keeping some sort of continuity and winning formula," Bracewell said when asked if he was tempted to play either Martin or Mills.

Bangladesh's second innings in the first test turned into a benefit session for Vettori as he picked up six wickets, and eight for the match, as he and Wiseman bowled the hosts out for 126.

The Black Caps won by an innings and 99 runs, and the prospect of another turning wicket will only reinforce New Zealand's overwhelming favouritism.

Bangladesh have a slow bowling weapon in their stocks in Mohammad Rafique who also took six wickets last week, while coach Dav Whatmore has also included spinners Manzaural Rana and Enamul Haque in his 12.

Bangladesh will name their starting team just before play.

The test in this port city is Stephen Fleming's last match blow-out before he and Jacob Oram are spelled from the three one-dayers starting on Tuesday to rest for the series against Australia which begins in November.

The new policy from New Zealand Cricket to give key players a break was welcomed by one it's first recipients.

"I think it's great," Fleming said.

"It keeps us in test mode it will enable us to play for longer, especially if you're a bowler.

"I think it's good foresight and also gives us a chance for the other leaders in the side to have a crack at it."

Fleming said he didn't need a break at the moment, but it would be beneficial given the hectic summer ahead and before he plays county cricket in England for Nottinghamshire during the New Zealand winter while the Black Caps have no tours.

"When it's for a short period of time, maybe one or two weeks it's not going to affect your cricket. Any longer and you could get stale."

Meanwhile all-rounder Chris Cairns joined the team ahead of the one-dayers after doing some promotional work in India.

The remaining one-day squad members -- Chris Harris, Craig McMillan, Andre Adams and Peter Fulton are expected later this week.

Teams: New Zealand : Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris*, Nathan Astle, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Paul Wiseman, Ian Butler. 12th man: Hamish Marshall

*subject to fitness test

Bangladesh from: Khaled Mashud (captain), Rajin Saleh, Javed Omer, Mohammad Ashraful, Nafees Iqbal, Alok Kaplali, Mohammad Rafique, Tapash Baisya, Manzaural Islam, Mushfiqur Rahman, Enamul Haque, Tapash Kumar, Aftab Ahmed.

Umpires: Daryl Harper, Mark Benson.

- NZPA