Nine New Zealand players to turn out for state sides

Nine members of the New Zealand squad will turn out for their respective state sides in the domestic State Shield on Thursday, following the postponement of the one-dayer against Sri Lanka at Napier. The game has been rescheduled for January 11 as a mark of respect for the victims.

Chris Cairns, Brendon McCullum and Kyle Mills will not participate in the domestic games because of injury concerns. Cairns rolled an ankle during the first ODI at Auckland, Mills suffered some stiffness in his back in the same game while McCullum will use the time for do rehab work on his injured knee.

The New Zealand cricketers expressed their full support of the decision to postpone the second ODI. Ross Dykes, the acting team manager, said that the players' thoughts were with the Sri Lankan team in their time of sorrow and grief. "The delay of a cricket match is inconsequential compared to what the people of Sri Lanka are going through," he said. "So we will just fit in with what is required. Our sympathies are with the Sri Lankan team and their family and friends at this tragic time for them."

The New Zealand squad were scheduled to train when they reassembled in Queenstown on Friday afternoon. The selectors will still reselect the squad after the third match of the series, which will now be after the game at Jade Stadium on January 4, instead of Queenstown.