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Journalism of Courage
Shane Bond couldn’t make the trip at all and batting mainstay Nathan Astle had to fly back after the Test series to tend to a troublesome knee. But that apart, the Black Caps’ ODI team is here in India in full strength and as many as five fresh pairs of legs might hit the pitch against India at Chennai tomorrow. A surprise omission from the side, however, is medium pacer Andre Adams, who played so well on India’s tour of New Zealand and then at the World Cup…
CHRIS CAIRNS
No surprises there, except that he might have been part of the Test squad as well. Injuries have forced the talented all-rounder to convert to an out-and-out batsman and though he averages just 29.00 from 167 ODIs, his strike rate of 81.31 is evidence of his abilities.
CHRIS HARRIS
No surprises here either. A long-time member of New Zealand’s ODI scene, Harris has played 230 ODIs, picking 197 wickets with his slow leg-cutters and scoring 4125 runs at an average of 30.10. One of the most consistent ODI utility cricketers of all time.
One cricketer the Kiwis have depended on often in the recent past, but one who has failed to deliver oftener than he has succeeded. Fleming will hope the wicketkeeper manages to up his average from 15.25 and strike rate from 56.48 while he’s on tour here.
KYLE MILLS
Another cricketer who fits into New Zealand’s plans despite not impressing often enough. The medium pacer with the questionable action has been touted as a restrictive bowler and attacking tailender. The bowling average (25.88) bears testimony to the faith, but the batting (11.30) doesn’t.
PAUL HITCHCOCK
A typical Kiwi ODI cricketer. Is a specialist one-day bowler in the Gavin Larson mould and averages a highly impressive 22.60 from eight outings. Is a certainty in the squad, which has been depleted by Bond’s absence and Jacob Oram’s injury while on tour.
CHRIS NEVIN
Came to India with the Test team as back-up wicketkeeper for Robbie Hart, but has been kept on as replacement for Nathan Astle. Has played internationals both as batsman and as wicketkeeper-batsman and might find a place in the playing XI in either capacity.
Mark Richardson, Paul Wiseman and Robbie Hart are definites on the flight back with Astle, and with two more members supposed to join them, it appears only two of Lou Vincent, Jacob Oram, Michael Mason and Ian Butler will have a longer stay in India.
