Weather delays team selection

Inclement weather has prevented New Zealand from naming the side to face Sri Lanka in the first of five one-day internationals at Eden Park in Auckland on Boxing Day. With a weather-affected match looking likely, John Bracewell, the team coach, said that the team tactics and composition would be altered accordingly.

It's quite conceivable that the 12th man would be released to play a state one-day match on Monday, with the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Napier not being played till Wednesday. In such a scenario, an Auckland player would be drafted in as substitute fielder for the day.

New Zealand had a training run on Christmas morning and, unlike the weather, there were no worries on the fitness front.