Cricket: Mills faces fitness test

Auckland fast bowler Kyle Mills faces a fitness test today to decide whether he joins the New Zealand team for the one-day tri-series in Australia.

Mills suffered a side strain playing for Auckland in their State Shield match against Otago in Alexandra on Saturday.

He did some exercises in Christchurch yesterday to determine his availability, but New Zealand Cricket fitness adviser Warren Frost decided it best that he be fully tested today.

Frost said it was better to let the injury settle another day before it was checked again.

Wellington allrounder James Franklin has been placed on standby should Mills be ruled out.

Mills, 22, left the field after bowling just one over against Otago, but batted later in the match.

The rest of the New Zealand squad are in Brisbane preparing for a one-day match against Australia A tomorrow.

Their first tri-series match is against Australia in Melbourne on Friday.

- NZPA