GEORGETOWN, Guyana - The odds of Ross Taylor making a cricket World Cup return against Ireland on Tuesday (NZT) have lengthened after he was again unable to run at full pace at training here today.
Taylor had hoped to resume sprinting at New Zealand's first training session inthe Guyanan capital on Thursday but is still to convince medical staff he is capable of fully extending his strained right hamstring.
Earlier in the week the 23-year-old had boldly predicted he was a 70-30 chance of ending a three-match absence against the Irish at Providence Stadium.
However, captain Stephen Fleming downgraded the probability of the classy right hander having a much-needed tune-up before New Zealand's Super Eights' campaign lifts in intensity with games against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia once they head to Grenada on Thursday.
"Ross has been a little bit ginger in terms of his movement," Fleming said as the team trained at the Bourda cricket ground.
He was anxious to have Taylor spend some quality time in the middle before a tough three-game sequence but admitted he would probably err on the side of caution.
"If he's not quite right we'll probably be conservative but we're pushing as hard as we can to get him right as quickly as possible,
"We want him back into cricket, back into the fold. He's been out of cricket for a while if he misses this one."
Taylor strained the leg muscle while top scoring against Kenya on March 20 and had been confined to physio and gym before the team arrived here last Tuesday.
He has resumed batting in the nets but is not yet stretching out at full pace.
A final workout at Providence Stadium tomorrow will be his last chance to be in contention for a return to the No 3 spot.
If not Hamish Marshall, who scored an unbeaten 50 against Bangladesh in his first tour outing, will remain at first drop.
Meanwhile, pace bowler Michael Mason has already been ruled out with a calf strain sustained against Bangladesh last Thursday in Antigua.
Mark Gillespie and Chris Martin, who are both yet to make their Cup debuts, are vying for his spot.
