Cricket: Two spinners likely to play in first test

By RICHARD BOOCK

There might still be a bit of cricket to be played, but New Zealand have effectively settled on their line-up for the first test against Zimbabwe.

Only injury, or the discovery of a green-top at Bulawayo, will sway the selectors from the combination they hope will lead to New Zealand's second test win in Zimbabwe, not to mention taking a stranglehold on the short, two-test series.

As the tourists prepare for the three-day match against a Zimbabwe Selection starting in Kwekwe tomorrow, it seems almost certain that Daryl Tuffey, Scott Styris, Craig Spearman and the slowly recovering Dion Nash will miss the cut for the first-test team.

Coach David Trist, who earlier hinted at the likely batting order for the Bulawayo test, told the Herald yesterday that the intention was to carry two spinners into the match, meaning an attack comprising Chris Cairns, Shayne O'Connor, Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman.

New Zealand played two spinners during the first-test triumph against the West Indies last summer, but had less success when they repeated the tactic against Australia in Auckland.

"Bulawayo has a reputation for being pretty flat and the extra spinner would give us another variation," Trist said from Harare.

"Wizzer [Wiseman] has made a lot of progress at this level, and as long as that continues, remains a strong option in the conditions."

He had no doubt that O'Connor would share the new ball with Cairns, with part-time cover available from Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan.

"Shayne has delighted us with the way he's come on from last season.

"He's applying pressure on batsmen through his consistency and he's looking smarter and more confident these days.

"We're hoping he will show that improvement in the tests.

"And with Craig and Nathan available as back-up, I don't think we have too many problems with a two [pace]-two [spin] configuration. We've used it before and we know what it provides."

The New Zealand batting order appears even more settled, with rookie Mark Richardson set to make his test debut as Matt Horne's opening partner and Mathew Sinclair sure to be named at No 3, regardless of Spearman's effort over the next three days at Kwekwe.

The next six positions fall into the automatic selection category, with Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle and McMillan responsible for the middle order, and Cairns, Adam Parore and Vettori filling the mid-to-lower order slots.

According to Trist, O'Connor and Wiseman will complete the line-up.

"We've upped the ante a bit now and we're certainly aware of the importance of making a impression at Bulawayo, given the short nature of the series," he said.

"We're very keen to attack and win the first test.

"Everything we're doing right now is with a view to winning that particular game, because we know it would set us up for the series."

Trist said he was resigned to not having Nash for Bulawayo and was only hopeful of the New Zealand vice-captain recovering in time for the subsequent second test at Harare.

Although the key allrounder was cleared to tour on the basis that he was nearing effective fitness, he may not actually play until the one-dayers against Zimbabwe, or even the following ICC knockout tournament in Kenya.

"He's bowling most days and is nearly right, but at the moment we don't want to risk him.

"Dion's such a valuable player, we would be silly to bring him back prematurely."

Probable test team:

Stephen Fleming (capt), Matt Horne, Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Paul Wiseman and Shayne O'Connor.