Cricket: Bond and Styris return to ODI team

Shane Bond and Scott Styris are back in the New Zealand team for the limited-overs matches against Australia.

The 34-year-olds are a contrasting pair. Speedster Bond was always a certainty to return once fit; Styris has his backers but also those who would rather look to the future.

Styris' omission against Bangladesh, coming after his strong limited-overs form for Auckland, raised eyebrows. He's played 160 ODIs, averages 31.99, but last made an impact in that form in England in mid-2008.

He has not made the 12 for the two Twenty20 internationals which start the tour next Friday and Sunday, but bolsters the middle order options for the ODIs which follow.

"We asked him to go away and try and extend his game," selector and coach Mark Greatbatch said last night. "We feel he's done that and gets an opportunity."

Bond is over the abdominal injury which forced him to retire from tests after his brief but memorable comeback against Pakistan in Dunedin late last year.

He's had a handful of games for Canterbury and in Christchurch club cricket and Greatbatch is delighted he's ready to return. "We're very happy with Shane's progress," he said.

"He's ready to go and very excited about playing for New Zealand again. He's always saved his best for the Aussies so he's looking forward to getting stuck in."

Bond's record against Australia in limited-overs contests is remarkable - 12 ODIs have produced 35 wickets at 14.45 apiece - and he'll be a welcome return to a seam attack which has a sameness about it in terms of pace.

There are two notable omissions.

Wellington left arm quick Andy McKay, who made a favourable impact on debut against Bangladesh, is unavailable due to a foot injury which counted him out of a possible maiden test in Hamilton this week.

There is no place for fast-medium Ian Butler, who had been a regular fixture since returning to international cricket last summer. He bowled like a drain against Bangladesh so there should be no surprise at his axing.

Wellington's James Franklin retains his place despite, through no real fault of his own, looking the odd man out against the Bangladeshis.

Styris and Neil Broom are the two who drop out for the Twenty20 games, for which just 12 players have been named. Auckland captain Gareth Hopkins retains his place in the Twenty20 squad.

"We feel we've got a good balance of experience and youth," Greatbatch said.

"We've got a pretty good fielding unit, but we're going to have to play to our max to compete against Australia."

A squad of 20 players assemble in Wellington on Wednesday specifically to prepare for the world Twenty20 championship in the Caribbean in May.

New Zealand have the two Australian games as their final preparation for that event and want to get plans in place as they look ahead to a likely squad.

THE SQUADS

New Zealand

Twenty20: Daniel Vettori (c), Shane Bond, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Peter Ingram, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey.
ODI: Daniel Vettori (c), Shane Bond, Neil Broom, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Peter Ingram, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey.

Australia

Twenty20: Michael Clarke (c), Cameron White, Travis Birt, Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Dirk Nannes, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Shane Watson.
ODI: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, James Hopes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.