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ST LUCIA - The World Cup futures of Mark Gillespie and Peter Fulton remain in a holding pattern as New Zealand prepare for their opening one-day cricket match against England.
A virus-stricken Gillespie has already been ruled out of their game against England on Saturday but what role, if any, the injured Fulton plays will only be determined after the team return from Jamaica after the opening ceremony.
Fulton, who has been in sparkling form with three half-centuries in his last four innings, joined Jacob Oram as a victim of a skied catch-gone-wrong when he misjudged a steepling offering from Kumar Sangakkara during the team's 18-run warm-up victory last Saturday in Barbados.
The tip of the finger on his left hand bore the impact of the ball, although it is not thought to be as serious as the injury all-rounder Oram sustained during the first Chappell-Hadlee Trophy match against Australia almost a month ago in Wellington.
While batting practice should immediately clarify Fulton's prospects the waiting game on Gillespie's acute brachial neuritis - which has attacked the nerves in his right shoulder - appears set to continue.
The pace bower is still on medication and there is no time frame on when he will be back to full fitness.
Gillespie, who has been impressive in his rookie international season, contracted the virus before leaving New Zealand on February 28.
He missed both pre-tournament games against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but he has rolled his "numb" bowling arm over in practice - although at nowhere approaching optimum pace.
New Zealand team management have so far maintained an optimistic outlook on Gillespie, saying there was no deadline set for when a replacement had to be considered.
No one from the 15-man back-up squad has officially been placed on standby.
In Gillespie's favour is the fact New Zealand's pool schedule lessens in intensity considering the England match - where four precious carryover points are banked by the winners - is followed by lesser lights Kenya and Canada.
But logging some overs before the Super Eight stage - which would start for New Zealand (should they win their group) on March 29 - would be welcome, if not essential.
Meanwhile, the New Zealanders will today share centre stage with the 15 other competing nations at the new Chinese-built Trelawny Stadium.
While the length of opening ceremonies has been a bugbear for New Zealand's Olympic and Commonwealth Games competitors, the cricketers' commitments should span just over three hours.
- NZPA
