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| March 15, 2007 | Thursday | Safar 25, 1428 |
Pen-sketches of New Zealand squad
BRIDGETOWN, March 14: Pen-pix of New Zealand’s World Cup squad: Stephen Fleming (LHB/captain). Age: 33. ODI appearances: 270. Debut: v India, Napier, March 25, 1994. The longest serving New Zealand captain is widely regarded as one of the shrewdest brains in the sport and a solid left-hander at the top of the order. He hopes to strike gold in his fourth World Cup, the third as captain.
Career: 7684 runs (ave 32.15), HS 134*, 7 100s, 46 50s, 131 catches, 1 wkt (ave 28.00).
Daniel Vettori (LHB/SLA). Age: 28. ODI appearances: 191. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Christchurch, March 25, 1997. New Zealand's pillar of strength with his superb left-arm spin and defiant batting in the slog overs. One of the most respected rivals in world cricket.
Career: 1256 runs (ave 14.95), HS 83, 3 50s, 51 catches, 187 wkts (ave 33.37), BB 5-30, 4w 5.
Shane Bond (RHB/RF). Age: 31. ODI appearances: 59. Debut: v Australia, Melbourne, Jan 11, 2002. When free from injury, especially a troublesome back, he is a fearsome fast bowler who rips through the best batting line-ups. New Zealand will hope he lasts seven weeks without breaking down.
Career: 198 runs (ave 15.23), HS 31*, 12 catches, 112 wkts (ave 19.66), BB 6-19, 4w 10.
James Franklin (LHB/LFM). Age: 26. ODI appearances: 56. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Taupo, Jan 2, 2001. The left-armer adds variety to the Kiwi pace attack and his value as a lower order batsman can be gauged from the fact that he has a Test century to his credit.
Career: 413 runs (ave 14.75), HS 45*, 17 catches, 53 wkts (ave 38.88), BB 5-42, 4w 1.
Peter Fulton (RHB). Age: 28. ODI appearances: 28. Debut: v Bangladesh, Chittagong, Nov 2, 2004. A talented middle-order batsman is a product of the New Zealand Cricket Academy.
Career: 815 runs (ave 35.43), HS 112, 1 100s, 5 50s, 9 catches.
Mark Gillespie (RHB/RFM). Age: 27. ODI appearances: 15. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Napier, Dec 28, 2006. The right-arm fast bowler reminds of Bob Willis or Dennis Lillee in his run-up but does not have the same pace or variety.
Career: 61 runs (ave 15.25), HS 28, 1 catch, 18 wkts (ave 36.11), BB 3-39.
Brendon McCullum (RHB/WK). Age: 25. ODI appearances: 104. Debut: v Australia, Sydney, Jan 17, 2002. The gutsy wicket-keeper is also a hard-hitting batsman ideally suited for limited-overs cricket. His never-say-die approach has earned him the respect of rivals around the world.
Career: 1519 runs (ave 23.01), HS 86*, 5 50s, 131 dismissals (121 catches and 10 stumpings).
Craig McMillan (RHB/RM). Age: 30. ODI appearances: 187. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Hyderabad (India), May 20, 1997. The aggressive stroke-player is one of New Zealand's finest one-day batsmen and came back strongly after a poor run to cement his place for the World Cup.
Career: 4479 runs (ave 27.99), HS 117, 3 100s, 27 50s, 44 catches, 46 wkts (ave 34.93), BB 3-20.
Michael Mason (RHB/RFM). Age: 32. ODI appearances: 14. Debut: v Pakistan, Lahore, Nov 29, 2003. A solid and reliable workhorse who will be expected to provide the back-up for Bond and Franklin with the new ball.
Career: 22 runs (ave 11.00), HS 13*, 2 catches, 18 wkts (ave 35.16), BB 4-24, 4w 1.
Jacob Oram (LHB/RFM). Age: 28. ODI appearances: 93. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Wellington, Jan 4, 2001. The tall all-rounder may have a restricted role at the World Cup after he broke a finger during the recent home series against Australia. Showed his prowess with an unbeaten 101 off 72 balls in a losing cause against the Aussies in Perth this year.
Career: 1382 runs (ave 21.93), HS 101*, 1 100s, 5 50s, 24 catches, 100 wkts (ave 31.12), BB 5-26, 4w 4.
Jeetan Patel (RHB/OB). Age: 26. ODI appearances: 17. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Harare, Aug 31, 2005. He dries up the runs with his spot-on off-spin bowling. Besides, he is an athletic fielder in the deep and could be New Zealand's trump card if the slow West Indian wickets keep low.
Career: 22 runs (ave 5.50), HS 10, 7 catches, 25 wkts (ave 30.56), BB 3-11.
Scott Styris (RHB/RM). Age: 31. ODI appearances: 123. Debut: v India, Rajkot, Nov 5, 1999. The fearless all-rounder has fought off a crippling back injury to earn his World Cup spot. A valuable contributor with both bat and ball.
Career: 2659 runs (ave 28.59), HS 141, 3 100s, 15 50s, 47 catches, 107 wkts (ave 33.10), BB 4w 4.
Ross Taylor (RHB). Age: 22. ODI appearances: 18. Debut: v West Indies, Napier, March 1, 2006. New Zealand's most exciting young batsman who does not hesitate to play the ball in the air. His skills are just what the Kiwis needed after the sudden retirement of Nathan Astle.
Career: 599 runs (ave 39.93), HS 128*, 2 100s, 2 50s, 14 catches.
Daryl Tuffey (RHB/RFM). Age: 28. ODI appearances: 79. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Harare, Sept 27, 2000. An injury to Kyle Mills earned the strapping fast bowler a lucky call for the World Cup after a shoulder injury had kept him out of the game for two years.
Career: 154 runs (ave 7.33),HS 20*, 19 catches, 91 wkts (ave 31.53), BB 4-24, 4w 2.
Lou Vincent (RHB). Age: 28. ODI appearances: 94. Debut: v Sri Lanka, Auckland, Feb 6, 2001. New Zealand's World Cup hopes are pinned to this dynamic top order batsman and brilliant fielder. If he fires, the Kiwis will fire.
Career: 2274 runs (ave 28.07), HS 172, 2 100s, 11 50s, 37 catches.—AFP
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