Cricket: Parore has broken finger but will play on

By Richard Boock

CHRISTCHURCH - Wicketkeeper Adam Parore started the second cricket test against South Africa with a broken finger, the New Zealand team management revealed yesterday.

Parore apparently fractured the small finger of his left hand during batting practice on Wednesday and was conspicuous by his absence when the New Zealand team warmed up at Lancaster Park yesterday morning.

The Kiwi gloveman grafted for 111 minutes during his team's first innings on Thursday but was unable to find the timing or power which usually accompanies his strokeplay.

Team officials kept quiet on the full extent of his injury until questioned yesterday, and it seems that unless further discomforted over the next couple of days, Parore will not only finish this test but also play in the third.

Convener of selectors Ross Dykes said yesterday that in a worst-case scenario, which Parore was ruled out of the Wellington test, his panel would look to call up the next-best wicketkeeper, rather than a run-scorer who could keep a bit.

In that case, Otago's Martyn Croy possibly ranks near the top of a fairly small list, with Northern's Robbie Hart the best batsman of the contenders.

Meanwhile, South African paceman Allan Donald had another day of rest yesterday as his team-mates batted New Zealand out of contention in Christchurch.

Donald strained his stomach muscles during New Zealand's brief first innings on Thursday, and could still be in doubt for the Wellington test.

The other injured player during this test, New Zealand swing-bowler Simon Doull, was back into his work yesterday after suffering a sprained ankle late on the first day.

Doull was unable to bowl immediately yesterday morning as International Cricket Council rules prevent a bowler from returning to action for the same amount of time he is off the field.