Cricket: Injuries hand Bracewell tricky selection posers

8.15am - By Mark Geenty

LEEDS - New Zealand cricket coach John Bracewell was hit with more second test headaches today -- namely whether to play key allrounder Jacob Oram as a batsman and take a punt on Craig McMillan's broken finger.

Both have thrown a spanner in the works for New Zealand ahead of Thursday's second test here, in a series where they already trail England 0-1 and can afford no further slip-ups.

Oram was today ruled out as a bowler after aggravating his side strain while bowling in Leicester yesterday, while McMillan was still in pain from his fractured left little finger as he held a bat and received throw downs.

Bracewell said both remained in contention for the test side today, but their doubtful state handed opener Michael Papps and paceman Kyle Mills hope as the undermanned tourists could be reduced to just 11 fit players with Shane Bond still sidelined.

"They are concerns but we're giving those players as much time as possible without putting too much pressure on them," Bracewell said as the players got their first look at Headingley on a heavy grey Yorkshire morning.

"Everyone in the squad is preparing to play, we've got pretty good cover here. This is part and parcel of touring, people get injured.

"Jacob will be considered, but not necessarily selected. It does complicate the balance, and it also might heighten the bowlers we do use and make them more specific, rather than create too many options for the captain."

Bracewell hinted it was unlikely McMillan and Oram would both be selected, given the risk of carrying two injured players through a five-day test.

McMillan had endured similar pain earlier in the tour before re-fracturing the finger in the same place during his innings of 68 against Leicestershire at the weekend.

He was to have a painkilling injection in the finger tomorrow morning before another batting session, after which Bracewell would make a decision.

"No decision's solely left up to the player. In the end I'll have to make that decision and it will be based to a degree on his comfort," Bracewell said.

Oram and McMillan were forbidden from talking to the media about their injuries, with manager Lindsay Crocker taking all questions.

If Oram was omitted, Mills would play as a fourth seamer and if McMillan was ruled out Papps would open with Mark Richardson, and captain Stephen Fleming and the other batsmen would shuffle down a place.

A third scenario in a tricky balancing act would be McMillan ruled out, Papps opening and Oram batting at six, leaving New Zealand with just three pacemen -- Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin and Chris Cairns -- with backup from Scott Styris.

Aside from his 126 against Kent, Papps has had a disappointing tour with scores of two, nought and 20 in his last three bats.

Mills, who would make his test debut, got his first run against Leicestershire with nine overs for 35 in the first innings, then showed improvement in the second, taking a more accurate three for 51 off 16.

Batsman Mathew Sinclair arrived from Norwich as cover today, while former test paceman James Franklin was nearby and was asked to bowl in the nets.

Crocker said Papps was ahead of Sinclair in the batting replacement queue, and would likely return to his Swardeston club in Norwich on Thursday if there were no further injuries.

The Headingley pitch was dry and even showed some early cracks. It was known to be a variable surface with little movement for the seam bowlers, but would offer some swing in the overcast air.

Meanwhile, Bond bowled five overs without pain today as he looks to build up for the one-day series, having been ruled out of the tests with continued back soreness.

- NZPA