KEY POINTS:
Rival coaches John Bracewell and John Buchanan will be hoping a cloud of cosseting cotton wool envelopes Eden Park today as injuries threaten to derail World Cup preparations.
Jacob Oram will miss the rest of the Chappell-Hadlee Series after fracturing his left ring finger during the first ODI against Australia at Wellington on Friday night.
While catching Mitchell Johnson at long-on, off the bowling of Dan Vettori, Oram's finger bent back as he took the ball reverse cup. There followed a comical delay while Oram's elation changed to deflation as the significance (and pain) of the injury became apparent.
"Jacob will see a specialist in Hamilton on Monday to determine the management of the injury," manager Lindsay Crocker said.
"He will remain with the squad to keep on track with his World Cup preparations. At this stage, we are confident he will travel to the World Cup."
Peter Fulton has come into the 13 for today's match.
Meanwhile, Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is in danger of missing the event after injuring his ankle in Wellington on Thursday.
Lee was sent home to Sydney yesterday after twisting his left foot at training, leaving the paceman writhing in pain.
He was cleared of any breaks but has suffered ligament damage and cannot walk without the aid of crutches and a brace.
"Brett has suffered a serious ligament injury to his left ankle," Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a statement.
"He was seen by an orthopaedic surgeon who decided that he does not require surgery and will be initially treated with crutches and a brace.
"The surgeon will review him in a week's time and assess his World Cup prospects."
Lee said he was just relieved that the damage was not any worse and was still holding out hope of making it to the Caribbean, where the cup beingsnext month.
"The good news is that I don't have to have an operation. There are torn ligaments in my left ankle and yesterday I was in a lot of pain," he said.
"When I went down I heard a crack in my ankle and things weren't looking good. After consulting with the doctor today I am more positive but it's too hard to say what the outcome will be.
"I'll be doing everything I can to make sure I have a chance of playing at the World Cup.
"As a fast bowler I have had stress fractures in my back and ankle surgery three times and have always overcome these injuries. There will be nothing different here and I know I will be able to bounce back."
Shaun Tait was called in to replace Lee for the three-game Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand, while Stuart Clark is the obvious choice to replace Lee should he miss the World Cup with Tait already in the squad.
Lee's absence would be another major blow to Australia's World Cup defence. All-rounder Andrew Symonds is recovering from bicep surgery and will miss at least the first half of the World Cup while captain Ricky Ponting and top-order batsman Michael Clarke both pulled out of the Chappell-Hadlee series with injuries.
Indian skipper Rahul Dravid said there was no serious injury concern over Sachin Tendulkar after back trouble ruled him out of yesterday's deciding fourth cricket one-dayer against Sri Lanka. "He is experiencing some stiffness in his back and we did not want him to aggravate it."
The 33-year-old has suffered many injuries in the past seven years, attributed to the wear and tear of constant playing.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
