Cricket: Fleming could be back at weekend

By Richard Boock

WELLINGTON - Injured New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming expects to be fit again in time for Saturday's fourth one-day international in Auckland.

The tall left-hander aggravated a groin injury during the first one-dayer against India at Taupo, missed the second at Napier and will sit out today's third match at the Basin Reserve, but believes he is on target to return at Eden Park.

"I felt like I could play [in Wellington] but it would be more sensible to wait another couple of days and get it right for Auckland instead," he said yesterday.

With the Bank of New Zealand one-day series tied at 1-1, Fleming said he had no intention of resting for rest's sake and was determined to throw himself back into the fray as soon as he received an all-clear from the team's medical staff.

"There's a relatively wee tear involved - smaller than was initially feared - and with a couple of days' rest it has already settled down quite a bit. It's responding to treatment quite quickly, and I feel pretty positive about my chances."

However, the New Zealand captain did not rule out some minor surgery to repair the damage some time between the end of the Indian tour (on January 20) and the start of the South African series (on February 13).

"It may be that I need an operation at some stage, because with this sort of thing there can often be a few problems down the track. But it's difficult to say right now. Hopefully, there'll be a complete recovery."

Today, New Zealand will be without Geoff Allott, who damaged a hamstring on Tuesday, but seem set to bring back Simon Doull, with Chris Drum a strong candidate for 12th man.

The Indians were overjoyed with their series-squaring effort at McLean Park, as demonstrated by the scenes at the end of the game, and are likely to carry the same line-up into today's showdown.

New Zealand: Dion Nash (captain), Matt Horne, Bryan Young, Craig McMillan, Roger Twose, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Gavin Larsen, Simon Doull, Chris Drum.

India (two to be omitted): Mohamad Azharuddin (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Nayan Mongia, Nikhil Chopra, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Venkat Prasad, VVS Laxman, Hrishikesh Kanitkar.