Cairns may be out for two weeks (15 February 1999)

15 February 1999

Cairns may be out for two weeks

The Christchurch Press

No decision on a replacement for injured New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns for the next one-day game in Christchurch on Wednesday will be made until today.

The most optimistic prognosis is that Cairns could be fit for the first test against South Africa, starting on February 27 in Auckland. Cairns had the injury iced throughout the night but, as a frontline bowler, is likely to be racing time to make that deadline.

Cairns tore the calf muscle in his right leg when about to set off for a single, the leg buckled, and he was run out for five by a direct hit from Dale Benkenstein.

New Zealand may not need to change its 13-man squad as it is already replete with bowlers, pace bowler Simon Doull having been 12th man at Carisbrook.

New Zealand is also likely to have Roger Twose fit for the second game in the six-match series at Jade Stadium. Twose sustained a back strain on Saturday and withdrew from the team yesterday, with Wellington team-mate Matthew Bell brought in as cover. Twose was confident yesterday that he would be fit for the second game.

New Zealand selection panel convener Ross Dykes said Bell was added to the team as it meant minimal disruption.

Dykes said the selectors did not want to break the opening combination of Nathan Astle and Matthew Horne, with Bell able to fit in down the order. Initially, Bell was slotted in to bat at No. 8, which seemed a little strange for a specialist, but he was promoted in the order when New Zealand slumped to 56 for four.

Dykes said if Bryan Young had been chosen it would have meant a change in the openers.

Only about 10,000 people watched the match, a disappointing turnout, with the stands at either end of the ground sparsely occupied.

The South Africans wore black armbands as a mark of respect for their coach Bob Woolmer's father, who died last week. Woolmer delayed his departure, only joining the team yesterday in Dunedin.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)