Fleming rues absence of Cairns

Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, has expressed his disappointment at Chris Cairns exclusion from the New Zealand one-day side for the series against South Africa.

Fleming spoke out as the team were leaving Christchurch on their way to Johannesburg and was quoted by The New Zealand Herald as saying, "I'm definitely disappointed about not having Chris Cairns in the side. In fact any time we haven't got him in the dressing room is a bit of a setback. Chris has been a huge contributor for New Zealand. He's got a great record in South Africa, and when he's fit and in-form, he can be pretty irresistible."

Cairns was controversially left out the squad and told bluntly to play more cricket if he wanted to be considered for selection again. The decision has been criticised by some, including Martin Crowe who suggested the presence of Glenn Turner on the selection panel had counted against Cairns. Crowe wrote in a column he was still kicking himself for not guessing Cairns would be axed when Turner's involvement was announced.

Turner, coach of New Zealand on 1995-96 tour to the West Indies, had an acrimonious falling-out with Cairns then. However, Turner was replaced by the board after the series and Cairns went on to become one of the modern game's most devastating all-rounders.

Cairns's absence will be felt even further given his one-day batting record in South Africa; he has an average of 37.90 in South Africa, as compared to his overall career average of 29.31. However, as a bowler - with eight wickets in 14 matches at over 40 - he hasn't been at his most threatening on South African pitches.

But Fleming was adamant that the axing would be temporary, insisting that a fit Cairns would be a tremendous asset for the World Cup in 2007. "Anything that gets him fit and back to peak form in time for the World Cup campaign has got to be good for him, the team and our title chances.

"The important thing is to do whatever is right to get the best out of Chris. I know he's very positive and feeling very determined, and hopefully he'll bounce back because he's a very influential player."

Fleming also said he was expecting a strong South African backlash in this series, especially after the 5-1 drubbing they received in New Zealand in 2003-04.

"I'm pretty sure they were hurting pretty badly over the way things turned out in that series, and I'm equally sure they'll be keen to turn things around in this series and make amends. But we've got a stronger side this time too, so it should be a pretty competitive series."

The series begins from October 23 with a Twenty20 fixture in Johannesburg.