Cricket: Taylor blow adds to woes for Vettori's batting plans

Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart has been called into the Black Caps. Photo / Getty Images

Australia have the momentum, New Zealand the walking wounded, ahead of the pivotal third ODI in Hamilton tomorrow.

Key batsman Ross Taylor and allrounder James Franklin are out of the match with hamstring injuries, but remain in an enlarged 15-strong squad for the last three games of the Chappell Hadlee Trophy.

Taylor might make it back before the end of the compressed series, which has the last three games in a hectic five days this week, Franklin possibly not.

In-form Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart has won a call-up, officially as cover but he is likely to play tomorrow.

Stewart hit 227 not out against Central Districts on the picturesque Pukekura Park postage stamp in New Plymouth at the weekend. That followed 161 against Northern Districts at Rangiora.

Stewart had been in the national selectors' thinking for a while, and is part of their preliminary 30-man world Twenty20 squad named last week.

"He's been in great nick in the last few games, he's an experienced middle order batsman and a very dynamic one-day player who we feel plays the aggressive game we're looking for against Australia," selector and coach Mark Greatbatch said yesterday.

The obvious alternative was 19-year-old Northern Districts allrounder Kane Williamson, who has been in superb form this summer.

There are two arguments over Williamson.

One is that it's better to let him get another season under his belt before what seems an inevitable promotion; the other is to put him in, on the basis that if he's good enough, he's old enough. The former seems the preferred approach.

The medical bulletin also includes captain Dan Vettori (neck strain) and regular wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum (dicky back).

Throw in the departed Jacob Oram with his series-ending knee injury last week, and it is a decent examination of New Zealand's depth.

"It's an opportunity for others to step up, with a world cup around the corner [world Twenty20 starting on April 30 in the Caribbean] and also in 12 months [50-over World Cup on the subcontinent]," Greatbatch said.

Injuries or not, he knows New Zealand, despite the 12-run loss at Eden Park on Saturday, are right in the contest.

"We've just got to stay focused. We know if we play well we're a chance," he said.

Vettori said after Eden Park that his neck felt better, and that showed in his substantial contribution to the cause in that match.

"For a guy who said he couldn't bat in the morning he did a pretty good job," Greatbatch deadpanned of Vettori's 49-ball 70.

But whereas Vettori was unhappy with the Duckworth-Lewis recalibration after rain cut in, costing New Zealand two power-play overs and only an eight-run deduction from the target, Greatbatch took a harder line.

"With a better start we would probably have knocked it [the target] over. We want to attack and be aggressive, but you've also got to be smart with it.

"We were a bit hurt by that break for the rain, Duckworth-Lewis hurt us, but that was our own fault because we'd lost three wickets in succession."

Australia are relishing the robust crowds on tour. Captain Ricky Ponting said players are better off trying to engage a hostile audience.

"Sometimes you've got to try and have a bit of fun with the crowd, as much as they're giving it to you. Otherwise it's a long four or five weeks."

NZ ODI squad:

* Dan Vettori (c), Peter Ingram, Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, James Franklin, Neil Broom, Scott Styris, Shanan Stewart, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, Michael Mason.