New Zealand to play warm-up one-day game

New Zealand will play a warm-up game against a Victorian Invitation XI ahead of the three-match one-day series against Australia for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. The practice match, to be played at the Albert Ground in Melbourne on December 2, will be a 40-overs-a-side affair against a second-string Victorian side which has only three players with first-class experience - John Taylor, Ian Hewett and Rob Cassell.

New Zealand decided to rest Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori for the game. Brendon McCullum may also sit out the match after injuring his knee while batting in the last innings in Adelaide. Mathew Sinclair will don the gloves if McCullum is not picked.

Chris Cairns, Chris Harris and Andre Adams joined the side while Mark Richardson, Paul Wiseman, Chris Martin and James Franklin returned home.

The first ODI will be played at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne on December 5, while Sydney and Brisbane will host the next two matches.

Invitation XI squad Tim Welsford (capt), Aiden Blizzard, Liam Buchanan, Rob Cassell, Adam Crosthwaite, Simon Dart, Ian Hewett, Simon Hill, Cameron Huckett, Grant Lindsay, Carl Sandri, John Taylor.