The fragile Champions Trophy

New Zealand's World Cup plans appear in serious disarray after another abject performance from the top-order batsmen sent them toppling out of the Champions Trophy, writes Richard Boock in The New Zealand Herald.

Boock offers suggestions - recalling young Central Districts tyro Ross Taylor in place of the hapless Hamish Marshall, and promoting Brendon McCullum - while hoping that New Zealand have plenty of time to make adjustments to their World Cup squad.

Chief among them should be the immediate release of Marshall, who has been caught up in a scarcely-believable slump over the past 18 months, and ended his tournament campaign with the worst average of the entire squad.

If Bracewell picks him for the next game, it would be no surprise to discover Amnesty International taking an interest, such has been the torture and needless cruelty caused by his continuing selection.

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