Cricket: Sinclair called into one-day squad

Matthew Sinclair replaces Craig Cumming in the Black Caps, who suffered a facial injury in the second test against South Africa. Photo / Simon Baker

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Mathew Sinclair has again made the transition from international cricket outcast to the struggling New Zealand squad as the strokemaker was today summoned to South Africa as a replacement for injured opener Craig Cumming.

Fresh from setting a provincial record with his unbeaten 243 for Central Districts in the opening round of the State Championship against Otago last week, Sinclair's stop-start international career has been revived again after he initially missed the test and one-day teams for the disastrous tour of South Africa.

Sinclair, 32, who only secured a New Zealand Cricket contract when Hamish Marshall opted to concentrate on county cricket in England earlier this year. Now he finds himself cast in the familiar role of shoring up a faltering top order woefully exposed during a 2-0 test series hammering by the Proteas.

New Zealand were routed by a record 358 runs in the first test in Johannesburg last week and were thrashed by an innings at 59 runs in the second and final test at Centurion earlier today.

Sinclair replaces Cumming, who needed surgery on a fractured cheekbone after he was struck by a Dale Steyn short ball after scoring 47 in New Zealand's first innings. He was unable to feature during the Black Caps' dismal capitulation for just 136 overnight.

Sinclair, who has enjoyed a love-hate relationship with the selectors since making 214 on his test debut against the West Indies in 1999, played the last of his 45 one-day internationals against Australia in February 2005.

The right-hander made a fleeting comeback to the test side for the home series against Sri Lanka last summer. He averages 28.09 in one-day cricket and is a contender for a middle order berth given the lack of form shown by the current line-up.

Sinclair was originally overlooked for the 14-man one-day squad, in favour of Central Districts captain Jamie How and Cumming, a curious choice to stay on tour considering his lack of experience in the one-day format.

Cumming, who has had plates inserted in his face to mend multiple fractures, will return home as soon as he is considered capable of undertaking the long journey home.

The three-match one-day series starts in Durban on Sunday (NZT).

- NZPA