Cricket: Tuffey nears test recall

Daryl Tuffey is being considered for a recall to the NZ test side. Photo / Paul Estcourt

While Shane Bond's return to test cricket is awaited with bated breath, another absentee fast bowler can visualise his own return from international exile this week as New Zealand seek to stem Sri Lanka's rampant run flow.

Daryl Tuffey severing ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) was never greeted with the hope and expectation of Bond's identical decision - but the 31-year-old is becoming more prominent ahead of tomorrow's second and final test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

The rekindling of Tuffey's 22-test career entered the realms of possibility as he witnessed Tillakaratne Dilshan's double whammy at Galle International Stadium, two quickfire innings that knocked the stuffing, and confidence, from New Zealand's often wayward bowling attack.

Tuffey, whose test cricket career stalled five years ago, was fortunate to be an innocent bystander as Dilshan cracked 92 and then an unbeaten 123 before his team purred to a 202-run victory. Tuffey could find himself with greater responsibility when New Zealand face an uphill task to square the short series. This tour was intended as his gentle introduction to the team environment for the first time since the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

However, he is now being seriously considered as Chris Martin's new ball partner at the SSC.

Iain O'Brien's position is tenuous after he sustained the bulk of Dilshan's punishment, a match analysis of three for 170 at close to six runs per over hardly a compelling case for retention on a pitch likely to offer the quicks even less encouragement. In mitigation, O'Brien also had memorable moments - denying Dilshan a first innings ton before also limiting Mahela Jayawardene first innings century. And it is debatable whether even a Bond in his pomp could have tempered Dilshan's initial explosiveness.

Tuffey learned yesterday his one-day international career relaunches at next month's Champions Trophy in South Africa, and his workload could intensify by impressing in the nets.

So far Tuffey's fourth trip to Sri Lanka has been confined to the tour-opening warm-up match during which he took an encouraging three for 41 then none for 22 from 11 overs. He has already been excused from the tour's Twenty20 and Tri-Series component, but captain Daniel Vettori hinted at an unscripted test recall.

Tuffey celebrated the last of his 66 test wickets at Headingley during the English summer of 2004; then injury, form and the renegade ICL conspired to seemingly end his international career.

Welcomed back after quitting the imploding ICL, Tuffey at least has history on the subcontinent and that savvy might work in his favour as Vettori demands more accuracy and composure when running in to Dilshan.

- NZPA