Cricket: NZ cautious about taking over from Windies in Tri-Series

New Zealand Cricket has sought further information before committing itself as backup to a one-day tri-series tournament in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur next month.

The Indian board has asked New Zealand and Sri Lanka to be on standby amid fears the West Indies might pull out. Australia are the third nation.

The West Indies are yet to agree terms with their players to take part in the series. "In case they say no, we have other teams who are eager to play," Indian board secretary Niranjan Shah said. "In a week's time we should know one way or the other about the West Indies' participation."

"Eager" might be pushing it a bit in New Zealand's case, judging from the cautious response from NZC last night. Chief executive Martin Snedden said he had received "a reasonably vague approach" from Indian officials.

"We have only just received that request. I have not even had time to work through it," he said.

Should the West Indies resolve their talks with their players, it would all become academic.

Snedden said although several leading New Zealand players are playing in England, they would be available should New Zealand take the West Indies' place.

New Zealand's opening Champions Trophy match is against South Africa at Mumbai on October 16 but they have no international commitments between now and the start of the trophy.

Their last ODI was against the West Indies at Eden Park on March 4; their last test was a wretched defeat in Johannesburg at the start of May.