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| March 4, 2006 | Saturday | Safar 3, 1427 |
New Zealand aims for clean sweep
AUCKLAND (New Zealand), March 3: New Zealand is aiming to wrap up their one day cricket series 5-0 against the West Indies on Saturday and has one eye on the Test series starting next week.
Spinner Daniel Vettori, sure to be a crucial member of the Test attack, is being rested for the final one dayer, although team management said there was no injury problem for the left-armer who has previously spent long spells on the sidelines with stress fractures to his back.
Skipper Stephen Fleming said although some players would be starting to think about the three-Test series starting in Auckland on Thursday, winning the one day clean-sweep is a team priority.
“The way we’ve played has really negated anything the West Indies can throw at us and the public comments we’ve got is 5-0 is something they can expect,” Fleming said.
Seam bowler James Franklin — who also showed his prowess with the bat with a first class double century this week — returns to the squad in place of Vettori.
Offspinner Jeetan Patel is likely to again be named super sub, while aggressive batsman Ross Taylor should get another chance after debuting in Napier on Wednesday.
The West Indies is also gearing up for the Tests with batting star Brian Lara, opening batsman Devon Smith and pace bowler Daren Powell arriving in New Zealand Friday. They will replace Wavell Hinds and Deighton Butler in the squad following the last one-day international.
If New Zealand win Saturday, it will be the second consecutive one day clean sweep for the New Zealanders against the Caribbean team following the 5-0 scoreline in 1999-2000.
New Zealand: S Fleming (capt), N Astle, S Bond, P Fulton, J Franklin, B McCullum (wkt), H Marshall, K Mills, J Patel, S Styris, R Taylor, L Vincent.
West Indies (from): S Chanderpaul (capt), C Gayle, D Ganga, R Morton, R Sarwan, W Hinds, D Bravo, Dwayne Smith, D Ramdin (wkt), I Bradshaw, F Edwards, D Butler, R Lewis.—Agencies
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