Cricket: Black Caps' attack takes on makeshift look

Injuries to front-line bowlers Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram have left New Zealand with a makeshift attack for the third and fourth one-dayers against Sri Lanka.

Having initially named his squad yesterday afternoon, John Bracewell was forced to make two further changes last night after Mills (groin strain ) and Oram (bruised left heel) were forced out of the series on fitness grounds.

The pair have been replaced by Chris Martin and James Franklin.

Mills has been New Zealand's form bowler for the past six months and will prove difficult to replace, while Oram just seemed to be hitting his straps after an improved effort in the opening game at Queenstown, and another solid outing on Tuesday.

The other talking point last night involved Bracewell's decision to pursue his interest in a second New Zealand spinner; including Jeetan Patel in the squad for the final two one-dayers at Wellington and Napier.

More predictable was his move to welcome back batsman Stephen Fleming as captain and a replacement for Nathan Astle.

Patel played three ODIs as a supersub on New Zealand's tour to South Africa, and his ability in the death overs is considered a potentially useful asset on dry and slow pitches, such as the ones expected for next year's World Cup in the West Indies.

Bracewell said he'd been looking for a chance to re-introduce Patel into the international scene since the tour of South Africa.

Patel, who's taken 93 first-class wickets, was not exactly setting the State Shield on fire during yesterday afternoon's game against Auckland, taking one for 60.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (c), Daniel Vettori (v-c), Shane Bond, Chris Cairns, Peter Fulton, Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Brendon McCullum, Chris Martin, James Franklin, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent.