Cricket: Nevin injured as NZ win, Parore gets call-up

By RICHARD BOOCK

New Zealand wicketkeeper Chris Nevin is out of the tour of Singapore after aggravating a groin injury during yesterday's runaway win over a Queensland XI in Brisbane.

The Wellington gloveman, who starred with the bat during last season's sixth one-day international against Australia, had only just recovered from surgery on an earlier groin problem when he was picked for the Singapore tri-series.

As New Zealand crushed the Queensland selection by 127 runs at Brisbane's Allan Border Field yesterday, test wicketkeeper Adam Parore was preparing to fly to Australia as Nevin's replacement.

Fresh from a five-month mid-winter hibernation, New Zealand showed impressive early form as they warmed up for next week's one-day series, posting 321 for six after centuries to Craig McMillan and Chris Cairns.

The Queensland XI were then restricted to 194 for nine in 50 overs following an encouraging spell of bowling from paceman Geoff Allott and some economical work from Chris Harris and Scott Styris.

Allott, in his first official game of cricket since breaking down a year ago, trapped Queensland captain Jimmy Maher in front during the seventh over.

He then sent back Lee Carseldine in the ninth as New Zealand took a stranglehold on the practice match.

The World Cup star ended his comeback spell with two for 17 from five overs during a day in which all eight frontline New Zealand bowlers were used.

New Zealand made a hesitant start to the match, losing Nevin, makeshift opener Daniel Vettori and skipper Stephen Fleming inside the first 11 overs, before the counterattack was provided by Roger Twose, Cairns, McMillan and Harris.

Cairns scored his 100 off only 89 balls.

His tally included seven fours and five sixes.

McMillan struck 103 off 109 balls (nine fours and three sixes), and Harris chimed in with 38 off 23 balls (three fours and two sixes) as 98 runs came off the last eight overs.

New Zealand play a second practice match against Queensland today.