Cricket: NZ facing suspect spinner

PUNE - The New Zealand cricket team will face controversial Indian offspinner Harbhajan Singh in their first tour match, a three-day game against an Indian Board XI, starting today.

Singh toured New Zealand with India last summer after the International Cricket Council, which forced his withdrawal in 1998, cleared his bowling action.

While his action raised eyebrows in New Zealand, no official complaint was laid.

The 14-strong Board XI squad have limited test experience, but do have several players who have turned out for India in one-day internationals.

It will be captained by Hrishkesh Kanitkar, who has played 30 one-day internationals. His father, Hemant, is a former Indian wicketkeeper.

Opening batsman Vikram Rathour has played six tests and seven limited-overs internationals.

The son of cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar has been named in the young India A squad to play New Zealand in their second tour game, from October 5 to 7 at Jodhpur.

Rohan Sunil Gavaskar, named after the former West Indian batsman Rohan Kanhai, is a left-handed batsman who plays for Bengal in the Indian competition. He recently toured Holland with India A.

India A will be captained by Amol Muzumdar, who toured New Zealand as a Young India captain several seasons ago.

Sri Lankan Peter Manuel has been appointed ICC umpire for the first test at Mohali in Punjab, Australian Daryll Harper for the second test in Kanpur, and South Africa's Rudi Koertzen for the third test in Ahmedabad.

Sri Lankan Ranjan Madugalle has been appointed match referee for the tests and the one-day series.

New Zealand are likely to face a full-strength Indian line-up in the first test.

Captain Sachin Tendulkar and his predecessor, Mohammad Azharuddin, are both on the comeback trail after back and shoulder injuries respectively.

Azharuddin's shoulder complaint had limited his throwing ability to inside the one-day circle, but he now feels capable of throwing from the deep.

"I will be in contention for the New Zealand series at home after clearing doubts about my fitness," he said.

"I am very keen to be back in the thick of things and let my bat do the talking." - NZPA