Bracewell denies rift with Fleming

John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, has denied any rift with Stephen Fleming, the captain, over the decision to omit Chris Cairns from the tour of South Africa where New Zealand lost the one-day series 0-4.

Fleming and Bracewell were barely on speaking terms at the start of the tour, according to a report in The Dominion Post, a New Zealand-daily. Bracewell denied the report after arriving at Christchurch. He said that Fleming had been "involved in the [selection] process all the way".

Cairns had been left out after indifferent form and a lack of regular play in recent months. He had retired from Test cricket in 2004 but has continued to play one-day cricket.

Cairns was told to go back to club and first class domestic cricket and improve his fitness so he could be considered for selection later in the season. Bracewell said Cairns's better fitness and improved form while playing for Canterbury - including an 80-ball century - had vindicated the decision to leave him out of the tour of South Africa.

"The indications are that he is extremely fit at the moment so it's been a success," said Bracewell. He said Cairns and Daryl Tuffey, the fast bowler, could be considered for the one-day series against Australia in New Zealand in December.