Cricket: England put best foot forward

By TERRY MADDAFORD

England will pay Northern Districts the respect of selecting their best available team for today's tour opener in Hamilton.

Determined to take everything they can from the New Zealand tour, the visitors are keen to use the two games against ND and the one-day internationals as part of their build-up towards next year's World Cup.

After his players had worked their way through three hours in the nets, England coach Duncan Fletcher said his one-day squad had been together for "a decent length of time".

He was understandably buoyed by their fightback from 3-1 down against India to square the series 3-3 with victories by two and five runs.



Craig White, who joined the team in India after surgery on a knee injury but did not play, is likely to be used in today's game and Sunday's day match at WestpacTrust Park.

"The New Zealand tour will be important for us," said Fletcher. "The one-day games in particular are crucial.

"New Zealand have plenty of experience in their side and will obviously be on a high after their performances in Australia. We are probably one of the most inexperienced one-day sides in world cricket at present.

"Going on three tours in a row is quite a challenge. New Zealand, in their conditions, will be difficult, although it seems conditions here look similar to those we have in England.

"Just getting here has been difficult. We travelled 24 hours and the players are tired. Whether that is jet-lag or just the New Zealand air we are not sure."

Fast-medium Matthew Hoggard, one of the better performers on the Indian tour, may not be considered for today's game.

He passed out on a flight in India, and had further tests in Hamilton yesterday.

Ben Hollioake will almost certainly sit out the tour opener to give his injured left knee more time to recover.

The match promises to be a keen contest on what should be another good pitch.

The one-dayers are significant for Jeremy Snape, Nick Knight, Paul Collingwood, Darren Gough, Hollioake and Owais Shah, as they will not be staying on for the three tests.

Northern Districts coach Bruce Blair put his side through a vigorous session yesterday afternoon.

"We are looking forward to it," said Blair, who played against visiting English sides twice - once for Young New Zealand and later for Otago.

"It is not often you get the chance to play an international side."

Blair has made few changes to his side.

Ian Butler gets his chance as one of the five pace bowlers in the side, and Bruce Martin, recalled after being sidelined with a rib injury, will be released to play for Hamilton.

Blair is hoping Scott Styris will be available for Sunday's game if the New Zealand team is back from Australia.

England will not name their playing XI until this afternoon.

Northern Districts: Simon Doull, James Marshall, Michael Parlane, Matthew Hart, Hamish Marshall, Grant Bradburn, Robbie Hart (capt), Joseph Yovich, Graeme Aldridge, Daryl Tuffey, Ian Butler.

The match, with Doug Cowie and Steve Dunne as umpires, starts at 2.30 pm.