Cricket: In-form Hart has surprise recall

CHRISTCHURCH - The New Zealand cricket selectors dusted off the international career of Matthew Hart last night in one of the big surprises of recent seasons.

The 26-year-old left-arm spinner has been called into the team for the third Bank of New Zealand one-dayer in Auckland on Saturday at the expense of batsman Matthew Bell - who has been released to play for Wellington.

Hart last played for New Zealand when he was called in as a replacement during the tour of Pakistan in late 1996.

However, he has performed impressively for Northern Districts in this summer's Shell Cup campaign, taking 16 wickets at an economy rate of 3.90, while averaging 27 with the bat at a strike-rate of 70.00.

The selectors had opted for him over Otago's Paul Wiseman and Canterbury's Mark Priest on the basis of form, and because the Eden Park pitch contained an element of uncertainty, convener Ross Dykes said last night.

"Given the uncertain nature of the pitch, we believe it's sensible to bolster the slow-bowling options," Dykes said. "Matthew has had some strong form in the Shell Cup and offers the team all-round abilities."

Hart had been chosen because of his form, and because he possibly provided more batting strength than either Wiseman or Priest, while Bell would benefit more from batting time, Dykes said.

Hart has played in 11 ODIs, with best figures of five for 22 against the West Indies, and has also played in 14 tests.

New Zealand: Dion Nash (captain), Nathan Astle, Matt Horne, Craig McMillan, Roger Twose, Adam Parore, Chris Harris, Matthew Hart, Daniel Vettori, Gavin Larsen, Simon Doull, Geoff Allott.

Pictured: Matthew Hart.