Cricket: It's that man again - for the fourth time

By Richard Boock

The New Zealand cricket selectors are likely to recall Bryan Young - again - when they name their squad for the second test against South Africa tomorrow.

A combination of a superior pitch surface in Christchurch and the panel's desire to retain as much stability in the team as possible will probably result in just two changes to the first-test side.

Craig McMillan's hand injury will present an opportunity to another batsman, and the more conventional condition of the Lancaster Park pitch will tempt the selectors to include another seamer at the expense of spin-bowler Matt Hart.

Young perhaps has the inside running as the next batsman after showing some solid form in the one-dayers against India, with the selectors likely to ask him to open with Matt Horne and for Matthew Bell to shuffle down the order.

There could be cases argued on behalf of Craig Spearman, Mathew Sinclair, and Mark Bailey, but the panel have already shown their colours in regard to Young and - in the case of Sinclair and Bailey - appear reluctant to blood new players against this particular South African side.

If Hart is seen as surplus to requirements in Christchurch as expected, then the selectors seem ready to recall left-arm seamer Shane O'Connor, who like Young, Sinclair and Bailey, will be in action today when New Zealand A start their three-day match against the tourists at Lincoln.

After having to deal with the frustrations of an injury-prone bowling attack in past summers, the selectors are now trying to come to terms with an injury-depleted batting line-up, and apparently believe Bell has the flexibility to bat down the order.

His experience against the new ball could make him a handy No 6, while the 34-year-old Young has already played in 33 tests and is seen as an ideal stop-gap.

With Steve Fleming unhappy with his rate of recovery from a groin operation (he pulled out of the Canterbury Shell Trophy team yesterday), Chris Cairns and McMillan sidelined through injury, and Nathan Astle ruled out of the third test against India, the selectors have been hard-pressed to select capable replacements this season.

And if they do bring back Young, it will be the fourth time he has been recalled in the space of six years.

He made his debut against Australia at the Gabba in 1993 and was dropped in 1995 when New Zealand played India. He was then recalled for the one-off test against Pakistan that same year, and dropped for the Zimbabwe series in 1996.

The selectors brought him back for the three home tests against England in 1997, cut him adrift before the tour of Zimbabwe, and then recalled him again for the three tests against Australia last summer.

Young played all three tests late last year in Sri Lanka, but was then dropped for this season's test series against India.

New Zealand (likely): Dion Nash (captain), Bryan Young, Matt Horne, Roger Twose, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Matthew Bell, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori. Shayne O'Connor, Simon Doull, Geoff Allott.

Pictured: Bryan Young.