TelstraClear Black Caps team to meet Canada named

TelstraClear Black Caps chairman of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee today named the team to play Canada at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, tomorrow (Monday, March 3).

The team is:

Stephen Fleming (captain)
Andre Adams
Nathan Astle
Shane Bond
Chris Cairns
Chris Harris
Brendon McCullum
Craig McMillan
Jacob Oram
Scott Styris
Daniel Vettori
Daryl Tuffey (12th man)

Mathew Sinclair was not selected. Kyle Mills and Lou Vincent were unavailable because of injury.

Hadlee said choosing the team had been made easier because of the injuries to Mills and Vincent.

"We had only 13 players to choose from so selecting the side was pretty straight forward.

"Nathan Astle, who is one of our most experienced and well-performed one-day batsmen, has come in to the team in place of Mathew Sinclair.

"This is tough on Mathew because during the game against Bangladesh the need to bolster our run rate meant some players were elevated above him in the batting order and he was denied his opportunity.

"However, this is a must-win game for us and one where we must continue to improve our run rate.

"Therefore we have picked what we consider is the most effective combination to achieve this objective."

Hadlee said Harris' experience and versatility were also considered an asset for the game against Canada.

"As well as being an excellent fielder in the circle, Chris gives Stephen Fleming a number of options both with the bat and the ball.

"He also has significant experience in pressure situations."