TelstraClear Black Caps team to play Pakistan named

TelstraClear Black Caps coach Denis Aberhart has announced the team to play Pakistan at Dambulla Rangiri Stadium, Dambulla today (Sunday, May 11).

The team is:

Stephen Fleming (captain)
Shane Bond
Chris Cairns
Chris Harris
Brendon McCullum
Chris Nevin
Jacob Oram
Scott Styris
Daryl Tuffey
Daniel Vettori
Lou Vincent

Aberhart said the inclement weather and the long distance the team had been required to travel to reach training facilities had meant the team's build up had been frustrating.

"Our preparation hasn't been ideal, but the guys are professionals and it just means they are going to have to be even more focussed and disciplined in their work out in the middle."

Aberhart said Chris Nevin and Lou Vincent were being given an opportunity to cement their places as specialist batsmen.

"Chris and Lou need to take responsibility at the top of the order and lay the foundations for those batsmen following them."

Aberhart also said he had retained the same pace bowling line-up used during the Test series against Sri Lanka for the first One-Day International against Pakistan.

"Tuffey, Oram and Bond bowled quite well in difficult conditions in the Test series and they will be joined by Daniel Vettori and Scott Styris who are both fit to bowl.

"Chris Cairns' side strain means he will play as a specialist batsman."