Cricket: Mason likely to run into Basin zephyr

By RICHARD BOOCK

Michael Mason's workhorse potential has put him in contention for the third and final test against South Africa at Wellington, starting on Friday.

Mason and Auckland seamer Kyle Mills have been drafted into the 12-man squad for the tour finale, which New Zealand needs only to draw to win their first series against South Africa.

From the 13-strong squad assembled for the second test at Auckland, Daryl Tuffey and Ian Butler have been ruled out through injury and off-spinner Paul Wiseman has been deemed surplus to requirements.

Tuffey has knee problems and a haematoma in the thigh and Butler has evidently re-injured the ankle that caused him problems earlier in the month.

The theory seems to be that Mason, who like Tuffey is a durable sort of seamer, could handle some of the upwind duties at the Basin Reserve, where the strength of the breeze is often a factor.

Mason has played five one-dayers for New Zealand and was part of the tour to India late last year, but has not yet played in a test match and was forced to watch from afar as Chris Martin made the most of his chances at Eden Park.

However, the Central Districts right-armer seems likely to make his test debut at Wellington on Friday and will then have his own chance to lay a claim for a place on the winter tour to England.

Mills will also be in line for his first taste of test action, although it seems more likely that he has been included as cover for the front-runners, and will be omitted from the playing XI on the first morning.

For all that, the call-up still represents a step in the right direction for the mop-topped right-armer, and another signal that the John Bracewell-led selection team have a preference for candidates who have already tasted international action.

New Zealand team

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Michael Papps, Mark Richardson, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Michael Mason, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills.