Cricket: Tuffey lightens the gloom

COLOMBO - Daryl Tuffey provided the one illuminating feature of an otherwise drab dress rehearsal for New Zealand's upcoming Tri-Series cricket campaign, though his five-wicket bag could not prevent Sri Lanka A cruising to victory yesterday.

Tuffey, playing his first one-day game for New Zealand since the 2007 World Cup pool stages, took five for 53 - a fine effort despite his last 11 balls conceding 25 as tailender Nuwan Zoysa took advantage of the batting power play.

Ironically this was Tuffey's last appearance on tour, despite his impressive analysis he has not been selected for the Tri-Series squad - though he is at least in contention for more game time at the Champions Trophy in South Africa later this month.

Other than Tuffey's tight and threatening opening spells, a largely second-string New Zealand line-up had little to enthuse about after mustering just 173 in reply to Sri Lanka A's 234 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

New Zealand's pursuit never gained momentum and was effectively over when stand-in captain Brendon McCullum's unfortunate leg before wicket decision left the tourists precariously placed at 95 for six in the 24th over.

Jacob Oram ensured the deficit was at least reduced to double figures by top scoring with 39; McCullum's 34 from 58 balls was the next best contribution and illustrated how difficult it was to maintain a scoring clip on a slowing wicket.

New Zealand petered out in the 42nd over, a limp finish though in mitigation several stars had been rested.

The absence of Shane Bond, Kyle Mills and Ian Butler finally gave Tuffey an opportunity to somewhere other than the nets, and the 31-year-old relished the opportunity.

The right armer began by continuing veteran Sanath Jayasuriya's form slump when he was caught at the wicket for two when sparring a short ball.

Mahela Udawatte then departed for three, caught by McCullum at mid off, to give Tuffey an early analysis of two for 12 from five overs.

He had more success in his second spell, dislodging top scorer Lahira Thirimanna (51) and Gihan Rupasinghe (34) but Zoysa got stuck in at the death to take some gloss off his figures.

"There's probably a few things to work on in the power plays," he said, of the period when fielding restrictions are in force.

"I have to brush up on my execution there but overall I'm pretty happy.

"It's great to be part of it in terms of getting some wickets. I've been working quite hard in the nets so it was really pleasing to get a crack.

Tuffey was chosen in the test squad but only played the first two-day practice match to enable Iain O'Brien to recover from his English county circuit workload.

After New Zealand's heavy defeat in the first test at Galle, Tuffey was considered as a replacement for O'Brien but New Zealand maintained the status quo for the 96-run loss at the SSC.

However Tuffey was added to the Champions Trophy squad so stayed on rather than head home before going to South Africa.

"I've been quite lucky to have been able to stay here and be pa rt of the team.

"I wasn't expecting to play so this has done my confidence the world of good.

"It was good to actually know that in terms of a game situation, I was bowling quite well."

McCullum was equally impressed with 80-match ODI veteran's return.

"Daryl bowled exceptionally well and when you consider Bondy (Shane Bond) is back plus Kyle and Ian have really stepped up .... all in all that's a pretty decent bowling attack."

Batting was the issue yesterday, though McCullum doubted the result had any bearing ahead of tomorrow's ODI against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium.

"It's disappointing to lose but it served a purpose for the guys who were a little bit short of game time," he said after Gareth Hopkins, Brendon Diamanti and Grant Elliott made their first appearances on tour.

McCullum said the self belief gained from last week's 2-0 Twenty20 series victory remained.

"They were a huge confidence boost after the disappointment of the test matches," he said.

"The way we've bounced back against arguably the favourites leading into (June's) Twenty20 World Cup final was significant."

- NZPA