Cricket: Goldie gets total recall

Jeff Wilson's one-day form against the World XI has earned him another tilt at the Australians. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Jeff Wilson added another extraordinary chapter to his storybook of success yesterday when he was named in the New Zealand one-day squad to play Australia.

The Otago all-rounder achieved what many said was the impossible - a full international recall after a 12-year layoff during which he focused on his other sport career, as an All Black.

Also yesterday, his wife, Adine, was named in the Silver Ferns netball squad to meet England.

Wilson, who played four one-dayers against Australia in 1993 and three unofficial matches against a World XI last month, was the main talking point of a predictable squad announcement which also recalled Andre Adams and Craig McMillan.

Wilson said yesterday that the selection gave him great satisfaction, but the real test would be his performance on the field and his ability to compete against the best.

"It's one thing getting into the team, but it's even more important to take your chances when you do and to justify the selectors' decision," he said.

"I enjoyed the experience in the FICA series but this is another step up, and I've got to work hard and prove I'm good enough."

Wilson - nicknamed "Goldie" for the colour of his hair and his golden touch in rugby and cricket - will join New Zealand's most successful one-day side.

The "winningest" side in the world last year, New Zealand has steadily improved in the rankings to No 2 in the world - behind Australia - and has not lost a one-day series at home for four years.

Last year, New Zealand won 76 per cent of their one-day internationals, beating Australia's 73 per cent, and reinforcing their status with a shared result in the first Chappell-Hadlee series.

Wilson said Australia were viewed as the toughest opponent on offer, but he took confidence from the form of the New Zealand side.

"The Aussies are the world's premier team but we're a pretty accomplished one-day side too, and I'm looking forward to being a part of the challenge," he said.

"As a team, we're under no illusions about how tough it will be or how good they are, but it's simply a matter of playing consistently well against them and grabbing all our chances."

He conceded that the prospect of playing Australia after a dozen years in the wilderness was a shade intimidating.

"It's probably a bit daunting if you think about it too much, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," he said.

"I wouldn't say I feel I belong in the team yet because I haven't yet justified my place, but I feel a lot of support, and can't wait to get started."

Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden has declared himself fit and available for the New Zealand tour after a brush with a pneumonia-related lung condition.

Hayden, who has now been diagnosed with pleurisy, was so sick at the weekend that his lung capacity was reduced to 42 per cent, and he was bedridden with stabbing pains in his chest and acute air shortages.

"It was a tough week," Hayden said.

"It felt not dissimilar to pre-flu symptoms, but as the week went on the pleurisy symptoms really started to hurt, to the point where I just couldn't breath in air.

"But I am on the road to recovery, which is a good thing. As soon as I got the right medication it started to improve rapidly. Then I knew I was going to be a chance."

The squad

Stephen Fleming (c)
Nathan Astle
Mathew Sinclair
Scott Styris
Craig McMillan
Hamish Marshall
Chris Cairns
Brendon McCullum
Jeff Wilson
Daniel Vettori
Andre Adams
Kyle Mills
Daryl Tuffey