Cairns dropped for SA tour
2005-09-26 10:13
Wellington, New Zealand - Veteran allrounder Chris Cairns has been dropped from the New Zealand team which will play five limited-overs matches in South Africa next month.
Coach John Bracewell said on Monday that Cairns, 35, would have to prove his fitness and form before being considered for selection.
Cairns, who has played 208 one-dayers since 1991 and 68 tests since 1989, said he was "gutted" by his non-selection but still determined to represent New Zealand at the 2007 World Cup.
"The pride's been dented, of course, but I've had time to come to terms with it. There's two ways, I can either fight it or say goodbye, and I'm not done yet," Cairns told New Zealand Press Association.
Bracewell said he was prepared to hold the door open for Cairns, whose career has been increasingly blighted by injuries and who took only to wickets for 99 runs during New Zealand's recent matches against India and Zimbabwe.
"It was decided his cricket fitness wasn't up to scratch for an arduous tour of South Africa," Bracewell said.
"That in no way will exclude Christopher from selection in the international side in future (but) he needs to address the issue of his cricket fitness and the amount of cricket he is able to play."
Captain Stephen Fleming, who recently led Nottinghamshire to the English county title, will take charge of a team in which only spinner Jeetan Patel, medium pacer James Franklin and batsman James Marshall are not seasoned one-day regulars.
Shane Bond, who made an outstanding return from injury on New Zealand's recent tour to Bangladesh, has been named again as the spearhead of the New Zealand bowling attack.
He is supported by spinner Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills and allrounders Franklin, Andre Adams and Scott Styris.
Twins Hamish and James Marshall join Fleming, Nathan Astle, Lou Vincent and Craig McMillan in strong batting lineup. Jacob Oram, who has been recently sidelined with injury, returns to the side, adding to its batting strength and providing bowling support with his new, modified action.
The first one-day match begins October 23 at Bloemfontein and the last will be played November 6 at Centurion.
The full New Zealnd team:
Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Jeetan Patel.
- AP