Wellington must survive without captain Stephen Fleming for their State Shield one-day cricket match with Central Districts because of a clash with the tsumani charity game in Melbourne.
Wellington play Central in Waikanae on Sunday, the same day Fleming is required in Melbourne to prepare for the world side's match against Asia on Monday night.
"He can't be in two places at once which is a shame but where he is headed is for a great cause, we understand that," Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson said.
Fleming's absence means a return to the captaincy for Matthew Bell and possibly a return to the side for Michael Parlane.
Another option would be to promote Bell to open and the in-form Luke Woodcock to No 4 or even Woodcock to the top but Johnson seems intent on minimising the number of changes in the batting order.
Woodcock certainly warrants consideration after scores of 71 against Northern and 41 against Auckland and of all the batsmen in yesterday's win over Auckland, only Fleming struck the ball better.
"Luke's going well and he is an option we may consider but he's at No 7 to finish off the innings and that's something he want him to master," Johnson said.
There is still a slight chance that two new openers could be required after wicketkeeper Chris Nevin dislocated a finger against Auckland.
"The early prognosis was good. There is no tendon damage," Nevin said.
"I think I should be definitely able to bat and with five days between the games, hopefully I can keep as well."
Nevin had to hand the gloves to Neal Parlane in the 22nd over after he caught the ball flush on the end of the index finger of his right hand.
Johnson said if Nevin failed to recover he would call up Stu Mills as a replacement, rather than gamble on a part-timer like Neal Parlane or Bell.
Wellington will need a roll call at training tomorrow, with man of the match against Auckland Mayu Pasupati (groin) and Ash Turner (side strain) rated 50-50 prospects for Sunday.
Pasupati required a runner when he batted but he remains upbeat about a speedy recovery.
"The five-day break is good for me," he said.
"It's not too bad. It actually stiffened up when I was bowling but it wasn't that bad when I batted."
Turner pulled out of the Auckland match 10 minutes before the start, allowing a rare appearance for Iain O'Brien.
Meanwhile, Central Districts have no plans to rush back Ross Taylor for the match.
Coach Graham Barlow indicated Taylor was still a week away from returning after suffering a strained hamstring against Sri Lanka last month.-NZPA
Fleming to miss CD clash
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