Cricket: Tuffey likely to be rested for Bangladesh one-dayers

By RICHARD BOOCK

The chances of Daryl Tuffey being added to the New Zealand one-day squad are looking increasingly slim.

After a long battle with a knee injury, New Zealand's best-performed paceman over the past two years has been striving to regain his form in time to join the squad in Bangladesh next week.

But the Herald understands he is more likely to be rested for the three one-dayers in Bangladesh, to allow him time to make a more thorough recovery.

Although Tuffey was ostensibly over his knee complaint, coach John Bracewell said earlier that the 26-year-old might have altered his action slightly to compensate for the injury, and was facing some remedial work as a consequence.

At the time the one-day squad was selected, Bracewell said Tuffey was still bowling with a scrambled seam, and was struggling to rediscover his rhythm.

Bracewell said it was more important that Tuffey was given every opportunity to return to form, because the tour to Australia starting next month was a far bigger priority.

Tuffey has been an integral part of New Zealand's bowling attack since emerging from a tough international baptism midway through the 2001-02 season.

He has taken 66 test wickets at an average of 31.16, 87 one-dayer wickets at 29.09, and until about eight months ago was the rock on which New Zealand based their entire bowling attack.

If he is not picked for the Bangladesh one-dayers, it is likely that first test hat-trick hero James Franklin will be added to the squad instead.