Cricket: Batsmen to make pitch for test spots

The New Zealand batsmen will be on trial against Hampshire this weekend, fighting for places in the second cricket test side to play England at Lord's in just over a fortnight.

All the batsmen on tour, other than captain Stephen Fleming, have been included in the side to play at Southampton starting tomorrow night (NZ time).

After their seven-wicket loss to England on the Edgbaston minefield, New Zealand are considering the Hampshire game as a trial for the batsmen.

Fleming was disappointed with the batting effort in the third session on the second day at Birmingham.

The Kiwis were bowled out for 107 between tea and stumps.

"That was the session that cost us the game," Fleming said. "All the batsmen are getting a run against Hampshire, other than me.

"No one is assured of a spot for the second test and they all have a lot to play for."

Batting at No 6 will be Chris Harris, the one day allrounder who is chasing his 18th test cap.

The 29-year-old Harris played three tests last summer, scoring 177 runs at an average of 59.

Fleming said Harris was under consideration for a test place for his gritty run-scoring ability.

The New Zealand captain gets a well-deserved rest against Hampshire after playing every match in the World Cup and on tour since arriving in London more than two months ago. Dion Nash will captain the team.

Fleming will go into the second test with 2476 test runs, the 12th-highest New Zealand aggregate, having edged in front of Ken Rutherford's 2465 during the Edgbaston test.

Nathan Astle passed the 1500-run milestone at Birmingham while, Craig McMillan is 86 runs away from 1000 runs after just 12 tests.

Both those batsmen not only need to score runs against Hampshire but also to show an ability to graft for runs and occupy the crease.

Roger Twose will bat at No 3, a spot he could gain for for the Lord's test.

Fleming said the New Zealand batsmen needed to deny and wear down the England bowlers in the second test after giving them victory on a plate at Edgbaston.

"We lost the test more than they won it so there's a lot on this next four-day game against Hampshire," he said.

Test certainties Geoff Allott, Chris Cairns and Adam Parore join Fleming in having a break at Southampton.

New Zealand play a one-day game against Sir Paul Getty's XI at Wormsley next week before meeting John Wright's Kent side at Canterbury in the rundown to the test.

The side to play Kent will likely be the test line-up.

New Zealand team to play Hampshire at Southampton: Matthew Bell, Matthew Horne, Roger Twose, Craig McMillan, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Dion Nash (captain), Daniel Vettori, Martyn Croy, Simon Doull, Shayne O'Connor. - NZPA