PUNE (India), Nov 2: Ace New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has been declared fit ahead of his team’s crucial match against world champions Australia in the triangular one-day series here on Monday.

“Cairns is fit,” New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming told reporters on Sunday.

The all-rounder, who strained his left hamstring during the washed-out tri-series opener against India at Madras, missed the second match against Australia at Faridabad on Wednesday due to the injury.

New Zealand, winless after two games, need a victory against Australia in Monday’s game to keep alive their hopes of making the final.

Ricky Ponting’s Australians currently lead the table with two victories from three matches, followed by India (1/3) and New Zealand (0/2).

New Zealand are likely to miss the services of seamer Paul Hitchcock, who has yet to recover from a side strain suffered at Faridabad.

New Zealand go into the match worried by their batting form, especially that of their prolific captain.

Meanwhile, Indian cricket selectors have recalled fast bowler Ashish Nehra for the next two league matches of the ongoing triangular one-day series.

The left-arm seamer replaced Laxmipathy Balaji in a 14-member team for day-night games against New Zealand and Australia, cricket board secretary Karunakaran Nair said on Sunday.—AFP