Cricket: T20 squad intact for two games

Jacob Oram. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's T20 squad will remain together for at least the first two internationals against South Africa this week.

The group of 14, who play Zimbabwe in their final tour game in Hamilton tonight, will be reassessed after the second T20 - also at Seddon Park on Sunday - before the third game at Eden Park next Wednesday.

"If we need to have a look at things after that we will," assistant coach Trent Woodhill said yesterday. "A lot of guys haven't had much to do yet, so we need to see where they are at."

One who has had plenty to do of late, opener Martin Guptill, is sitting tonight's game out, as is allrounder Jacob Oram.

Oram has had a slightly tight calf and is being rested as a precaution. Guptill, in rousing form with the bat, is simply having the night off.

The likelihood is that the three players still getting their international bearings, Auckland trio Michael Bates, Colin de Grandhomme and Ronnie Hira, will all play. They certainly fit the category of needing game time to which Woodhill referred.

Woodhill has an idea of how New Zealand are progressing in terms of readiness for the far superior challenge of South Africa, out of the visit by battlers Zimbabwe.

"We're playing good cricket, even though with the team we're playing at the moment there's an expectation we'll win, and win well.

"If we continue to play good cricket we'll get some pretty good results against South Africa."

Competition among the New Zealand players was "massive", Woodhill added, "and that drives practice and drives the players in matches, and also leads to good performances."

Woodhill also said regular captain Ross Taylor, recovering from a torn calf, remained on course to return for the ODI series, starting in Wellington on February 25. But he confirmed no chances would be taken.

"It's similar to Jake, we want to make sure he's right before he plays again. If he needs a bit more time, then so be it. But at this stage he's tracking well."

Test trio Dan Vettori, Trent Boult and BJ Watling will play for Northern Districts in their Plunket Shield game against Central Districts in Gisborne, starting on Friday.

The match will double as preparation for the trio before the first South African test, starting on March 7 in Dunedin.

Watling will keep wicket ahead of regular gloveman Peter McGlashan, who is omitted. Vettori is unavailable for ODIs and T20 internationals and left arm swing bowler Boult is unwanted in the short forms.

NZ V ZIMBABWE

Second T20 international
Seddon Park, Hamilton,
7pm today

New Zealand: (from) Brendon McCullum (c), Rob Nicol, Kane Williamson, James Franklin, Colin de Grandhomme, Andrew Ellis, Nathan McCullum, Doug Bracewell, Ronnie Hira, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Michael Bates.

Zimbabwe: (from) Brendan Taylor (c), Hamilton Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Forster Mutizwa, Regis Chakabva, Malcolm Waller, Tatenda Taibu, Elton Chigumbura, Shingi Masakadza, Ray Price, Prosper Utseya, Keegan Meth, Kyle Jarvis, Brian Vitori.