KEY POINTS:
Scott Styris declared himself fit for international action after steering Auckland to a comfortable six-wicket win over Otago yesterday.
Styris was the standout batter in the State Shield match at Eden Park, timing his unbeaten innings of 74 perfectly with a mix of power and caution as Auckland chased down 230 with seven overs to spare.
Styris is the man many believe will put the steel into the beleaguered Black Caps and his form yesterday was a fillip for the national side.
Styris said he and fellow injury-hit Black Caps Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram were pencilled in for Saturday flights to Australia.
He was awaiting confirmation from the selectors, so as to be ready for selection against England in Adelaide on Tuesday as originally intended.
Styris said he was completely over a back ailment, a slipped disc which had caused leg pain and numbness.
"I still don't feel I'm 100 per cent with the batting and bowling but that is coming," said Styris, after Auckland won the top-of-the table clash.
"Unfortunately the recent Twenty20 games came at just the wrong time for me.
"But batting for about 30 overs today is a big help and I bowled all right. I had seven overs and maybe I'll get through more against Canterbury on Friday. I feel ready for the Adelaide game."
Styris is trialling a new run-up after finding he was close to no-balling, another factor to deal with as he works back from injury.
A sprinkling of World Cup squad players were on show at Eden Park, among them England's Mal Loye, the Auckland opener.
He was in line to replace the injured Kevin Petersen in England's Tri-Series campaign but was overlooked because of doubts over his calf injury.
Lancashire's Loye, who has yet to make his England debut, was named in England's provisional 30 man World Cup squad two days ago.
Loye threatened to overshadow his Kiwi rivals yesterday but fell for 34 in bizarre circumstances.
Having produced his trademark front foot pull for a six off Warren McSkimming, he had to wait a few minutes while the ball was retrieved from a garden, and was then immediately bowled playing a loose defensive shot.
That brought Styris to the crease, at 77 for two.
His 81-ball innings included a cracking straight drive for six off new-ball bowler Matthew Harvie. Rob Nicol provided fine support, and finished Otago off with a six from Aaron Redmond's erratic leg spin.
Meanwhile, allrounder Grant Elliott was Wellington's hero as they snatched victory over Canterbury on the last ball in Christchurch yesterday.
Elliott hit a composed century and finished with a single off the final ball bowled by veteran Chris Harris to overhaul the hosts' 248 for eight.
Needing 81 off the last 10 overs following the fall of their sixth wicket, Elliott, Luke Woodcock and Dominic Bowden kept their heads on a cracking QEII Village Green pitch.
Elliott finished on 107 off 115 balls and wicketkeeper Chris Nevin contributed 43 early in the chase, which finished at 249 for seven.
Earlier, Shanan Stewart struck 79 to lay the foundation of Canterbury's total. Paceman Bowden took one for 36 from his 10 overs.
- additional reporting: NZPA
