Cricket: Styris in doubt for Champions Trophy

Scott Styris

All-rounder Scott Styris, troubled by a back problem, is in doubt for next month's Champions Trophy cricket tournament in India.

New Zealand are expected to name their 14-man squad for the tournament tomorrow.

Styris injured his back playing for Middlesex against Yorkshire in Scarborough.

Black Caps general manager Lindsay Crocker said the New Zealand selectors were not sure at this stage the extent of the problem.

The injury would be checked out tonight (NZ time).

"We don't quite know how bad it is but we should do by Thursday," Crocker told the Dominion Post.

"It's a back problem, something is playing up which he's not happy about, which is unfortunate."

Styris' injury comes just as the selectors were anticipating a full squad from which to pick their team.

Star players Shane Bond (knee), Daniel Vettori (back) and Jacob Oram (back) have all been passed fit to tour, with Central Districts paceman Michael Mason the only player from the shortlisted squad of 30 to be ruled out.

The Champions Trophy starts in Jaipur on October 15, with New Zealand's opening game a day later against South Africa in Mumbai.

- NZPA