Cricket: We'll miss Ryder - Vettori

Captain Daniel Vettori says replacing Jesse Ryder's all-purpose game will be a critical challenge for New Zealand in their must-win Champions Trophy cricket match against England on Wednesday morning (NZT).

Hard-hitting opening batsman Ryder was ruled out of the tournament after straining a hamstring early in his belligerent 74 off 58 balls in the 38-run defeat of Sri Lanka in Johannesburg yesterday.

New Zealand will qualify for the semifinals if they overcome unbeaten England at the same Wanderers Stadium venue.

Doing it without Ryder and fellow-crock Jacob Oram will test the mettle and versatility of Vettori's men as both have allround attributes.

Oram's berth was successfully filled by James Franklin yesterday while Otago opener Aaron Redmond has been called in to replace Ryder and may well make his one-day international debut against the in-form English.

Vettori lamented the "sad" departure of Ryder, who laid the foundation of their 315 for seven against Sri Lanka.

"It's a huge loss, even with his bowling and fielding as well, he's pretty valuable. I was a bowler down with him unable to bowl," Vettori told reporters.

"(He's) A big loss and I hope the guys can pick up the slack around him. The way he played today its going to be a tough ask for us to make up that in the game against England."

A dramatic day for Ryder was rounded off when he was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for his angry reaction as he returned to the dressing room following his dismissal.

Despite the debilitating injury list, Vettori reckoned his side's morale was good as they prepared to tackle an England side coming off emphatic wins over Sri Lanka and South Africa - the latter a 22-run triumph which eliminated the hosts and competition favourites.

Vettori preferred to focus on his own team's turnaround in form with the bat.

"The manner of the win is something that is pleasing to ourselves and also to our fans back home," said Vettori, who contributed an important 48 before later taking two key wickets with the ball.

"We managed to put together a really good score thanks to the way our top three batted and how we finished off also. That's what we've been working hard to do and to do it in a crucial game is very pleasing."

Having collapsed from 125 without loss to 161 for five through the middle stages, Martin Guptill stood firm and earned praise from his skipper.

"He's new to his international career with wickets falling round him and he managed to hold it together and got momentum going our way," he said.

"We had all that momentum heading into the bowling innings and it can make such a difference to a team when you finish so strongly."

- NZPA