Cricket: Doull selection roundabout opens door for Kennedy

By RICHARD BOOCK

DUNEDIN - Unless it's all just an elaborate hoax designed to give the Australians a false sense of security, Wellington paceman Robert Kennedy took a decisive step towards an international recall yesterday.

Kennedy has been put on standby to replace the recuperating Simon Doull in New Zealand's three remaining one-day internationals against Australia and seems set to join the squad in Christchurch for the fourth match on Saturday. Yet, in these days of subterfuge and counter-subte-fuge, when War Office documents are slipped under mystery doors and 15-year-old boys are attacked for taking photographs, it's hard to know who to believe any more, and David Trist hardly helped matters yesterday when he adopted a neither-confirm-nor-deny policy over Doull's immediate future.

The New Zealand coach insisted Doull - who was rushed back early from his ankle-rehabilitation - was still in contention for today's third ODI at Carisbrook, despite reports suggesting he was being freed for Shell Trophy work.

The selectors believe Doull would be better off playing in the third-round trophy match against Auckland at Taupo starting tomorrow, where he could develop some match-fitness in time for next month's first test.

A cryptic document released by New Zealand Cricket yesterday suggested Doull was not being considered for today's ODI, and in the next breath suggested he was.

"The selectors will release Simon Doull for the fourth match," the statement began, "provided he is not required for [today's] match at Carisbrook.

"Simon will be held as cover until just before play is scheduled to start and, if there is no requirement for him, he will be released to play for Northern Districts."

Trist, however, was adamant Doull was still a part of the squad, and as such was as much in contention as anyone else.

"Simon is in contention for the game and will remain so until 30 minutes before the start," he said. Asked about reports that Northern Districts were anticipating Doull's arrival, he said, "Well, they might not be wrong."

Kennedy played the most recent of his seven ODIs in 1996 after a brief but unsuccessful introduction to international cricket under coach Glenn Turner.

However, convener of selectors Ross Dykes said the former Otago bowler had bounced back strongly from the earlier struggles and at least had the benefit of knowing how difficult the next step was.

"He's had a very good Shell Cup and has continued to bowl well in the Shell Trophy," said Dykes.