Cricket: Double blow for Black Caps

New Zealand allrounders Jacob Oram and Ian Butler have been ruled out of tonight's opening Champions Trophy match against South Africa.

Oram damaged his hamstring in training and will under go a scan to assess the damage.

"We're hopeful it's just a very minor tear but will have more information in 48 hours so he is out of the game," Black Caps coach Andy Moles said.

Butler has picked up a stomach bug and has been unable to train with the team but is expected to be available for Sunday's match against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, South Africa have named an unchanged side from the one which lost to Sri Lanka by 55 runs yesterday, which means Hashim Amla will continue in place of injured opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs.

Gibbs had a batting session overnight (NZT) and did some running between the wickets.

"Herschelle is making good progress, and he is on target to make his comeback against England on Sunday," said team physiotherapist Brandon Jackson.

Gibbs suffered a rib muscle injury while batting for the Proteas in a warmup match against West Indies last week.

In 15 completed 50-over matches between South Africa and New Zealand in the republic, the Proteas have won 13 times, although one of the two defeats they suffered came in the 2003 World Cup.

On that occasion the Black Caps were inspired by a Stephen Fleming century, but he has since retired. The team s batting star is now Brendon McCullum, but he has not produced in warmup matches.

Another batsman who will be keen to deliver a good performance for New Zealand is South African-born middle-order operator Grant Elliott, who averages 48.40 in 23 ODIs for his adopted country. Elliott, who played provincial cricket in the Gauteng province where the Champions Trophy is being held, has an ODI century and two half-centuries to his credit.

In their last two ODIs, the Black Caps were soundly beaten by India and Sri Lanka, and in warmup games in South Africa it lost to local club the Warriors before bouncing back to beat India.

- NZ HERALD STAFF, AP