Luggage mix-up doesn't stop sandal-man Twose from duties

Black Caps batsman Roger Twose added another case to cricket's I-hate-it-when-that-happens file when he turned out for Wellington on the first day of their Shell Trophy match against Auckland at the Basin Reserve today.

Twose wasn't run out without facing a ball - in fact, he didn't have to bat at all. Instead, while he was in Wellington and quite prepared to field for the Trophy leaders on the opening day of the four-day match, his luggage was in Christchurch.

Twose left the Black Caps' hotel in Auckland this morning when the team dispersed after their three-match one-day series against Zimbabwe. Due to a misunderstanding at their hotel, Twose gear-bag, which had been stored with those of his teammates, was included among the luggage of the team's Canterbury contingent when the players went their separate ways.

Twose arrived in Wellington in time for the start of the trophy match with a clean set of whites but no boots. For that reason he was unable to take the field and, instead, was relegated to the 12th man duties which he performed ably ... but in sandals.