Cricket: Ryder injury a concern as NZA open Australia tour

World Cup prospect Jesse Ryder's New Zealand A cricket tour has suffered an early setback, with a groin injury putting him in doubt for tomorrow's one-day match against Australia A in Darwin.

Team manager Sir Richard Hadlee said there was concern over the injury to the hard-hitting Wellington batsman, who will undergo a fitness test tomorrow before the Peter Fulton-captained side open their tour against Australia A, led by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Hadlee said test opener Michael Papps was likely be called in from the other New Zealand A squad, also based in Darwin, as cover.

Top-order batsman Shanan Stewart and allrounder Brendon Diamanti were others who were doubtful starters due to injury.

Hadlee said there were "a number" of injury niggles in the squad as the bowlers take time to adjust from training on hard indoor surfaces in New Zealand to the shifty outdoor grass.

The two New Zealand A squads of 13 have been in northern Australia for the past week for a training camp before a series of matches against Australian selections along with India A and Pakistan A.

The current tour gives Hadlee and fellow selector and national coach John Bracewell the chance to run their eye over World Cup prospects, with the 26 among "about 40" players who were in the selectors' eyes.

"It will be some tough competition over here but that's what we want at this level, to build up a base of players," Hadlee said.

Among their opponents tomorrow will be a host of internationals including Haddin, batsmen Brad Hodge and Phil Jaques, allrounder Shane Watson and pacemen Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson.

Recent internationals in the NZA team are batsmen Fulton, James Marshall, Jamie How and Ross Taylor.

Last week's inter-squad matches in Cairns were marred by rain but the players were greeted by fine weather and 30degC temperatures on arrival in Darwin yesterday.

"The facilities have been very good and there's certainly potential for a base here to assist our preparation for overseas tours," Hadlee said.

New Zealand A (from): Peter Fulton (captain), Michael Papps, James Marshall, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Shanan Stewart, Jesse Ryder, Peter McGlashan, Brendan Diamanti, Bradley Scott, Nathan McCullum, Warren McSkimming, Graeme Aldridge, Mark Gillespie.

Australia A (from): Brad Haddin (captain), Cullen Bailey, Travis Birt, Mark Cosgrove, Dan Cullen, Brett Dorey, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Chris Rogers, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson.

- NZPA