Marshall turns back on Black Caps

Batsman Hamish Marshall has rejected a central contract offered by New Zealand in order to concentrate on playing for English county side Gloucestershire.

The move was prompted by financial considerations and he will now be able to play for the club on a non-overseas basis as he has an Irish passport.

"This has been the most difficult decision of my life.

"I have been extremely proud to represent my country during the last six years," the 28-year-old said.

"I would like to thank the staff at NZC [New Zealand Cricket] for their support of me over the years, particularly [coach] John Bracewell and the Black Caps team management.

"They have created an excellent team environment that I have found very difficult to leave."

Marshall has played 66 one-day internationals, the last three during the World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year, and 13 Test matches.

His twin brother James has also played for New Zealand.


He adds a great deal to our team both on and very much off the field

Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson

Lindsay Crocker, New Zealand's team manager, said they were disappointed by Marshall's decision.

"I believe he likely had a future with the Black Caps, however I accept his reasons for pursuing the certainty of a career in county cricket and wish him all the best," he commented.

Tom Richardson, Gloucestershire's chief executive, said: "We are absolutely delighted at the prospect of Hamish Marshall playing at this club for a considerable time. He adds a great deal to our team both on and very much off the field.

"We see him playing an important part not only in helping us to compete successfully in all competitions but also in bringing on, developing and getting the best out of our crop of potentially very good young players.

"Hamish has done really well for us in his time here and there is absolutely no doubt that he adds a great deal of value."

NZ complete whitewash of Aussies

One-day international, Hamilton:
New Zealand 350-9 beat Australia 346-5 by one wicket

Here are the Live Scores.

Matthew Hayden smashed 10 sixes and 11 fours in a fine knock

Matthew Hayden hit 181, the best score ever by an Australian in one-day internationals, but New Zealand won with three balls to spare.

In an extraordinary day-nighter in Hamilton, the Kiwis were 41-4 needing 347 before a stand of 165 between Craig McMillan (117) and Brendon McCullum.

McMillan reached his century off just 67 balls making it the fastest ever by a New Zealander in one-day cricket.

And the result meant the Kiwis wrapped up the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 3-0.

Australia's defeat was their fifth in succession - and sixth in seven games - but for much of the match they were well on top.

New Zealand lost the toss, were asked to field and were immediately chasing leather as Hayden put on 122 with fellow opener Shane Watson.

The batsmen's life was, however, made considerably easier by New Zealand's decision to rest leading bowlers Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori.

The eventual loss of Watson in the 26th over, lbw to Jeetan Patel, merely inspired Hayden to up the ante.

He hit 11 fours and 10 sixes from the 166 balls he faced. Only Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi (each hitting 11) have managed more sixes in a single innings and his total was just 13 runs short of Saeed Anwar's record 194.

Hayden and Brad Haddin added a further 88 for the third wicket and the only bowler to escape a pasting was James Franklin (0-43).

The remaining Aussie batsmen could afford to play brief cameo roles around Hayden's colossal innings.

HIGHEST SCORES IN ODIs Saeed Anwar: 194 (Pak v Ind, Madras, '96-'97) V Richards: 189* (WI v Eng, Manchester, '84) S Jayasuriya: 189 (SL v Ind, Sharjah, '00-'01) G Kirsten: 188* (SA v UAE, R'pindi, '95-'96) S Tendulkar: 186* (Ind v NZ, Hy'bad, '99-'00) M Dhoni: 183* (Ind v SL, Jaipur, '05-'06) S Ganguly: 183 (Ind v SL, Taunton, '99) M Hayden: 181* (Aus v NZ, Hamilton, '06-'07) V Richards: 181 (WI v SL, Karachi, '87-'88) * denotes not out

But the big Queenslander was hit on his right foot by a yorker and broke a bone in his big toe.

He now joins Australia's growing injury list with the start of the World Cup barely three weeks away.

Australia's bowling attack, without the rested Glenn McGrath, began well defending the excellent total established by Hayden.

Shaun Tait removed the openers quickly and two further wickets left the hosts in deep trouble at 41-4.

But the Kiwis effected a stunning recovery under McMillan.

His century came up off just 67 balls, with the slow left-armers of debutant Adam Voges coming under the most severe attack.

McMillan put on 75 with Peter Fulton (51 off 40 balls), before McCullum joined him into the closing overs.

McMillan kick-started New Zealand's innings after a slow start

Finally, McMillan swung across the line to Watson and was bowled, departing for 117 off 96 balls.

The wicket ended the massive stand which had lasted nearly 25 overs and looked like giving the Aussies a welcome victory.

The tourists made further in-roads to remove James Franklin and Daryl Tuffey cheaply, but an unexpected 28 off 15 balls from Mark Gillespie got the required rate back to a run a ball.

With seven wanted from the last over, bowled by Nathan Bracken, McCullum swung the first ball high over deep square leg for six.

A dot ball followed, before the winning runs were secured with a sliced drive over the slips for four.

New Zealand had produced the second highest successful run chase in one-day internationals, the leading four all coming against Australia in the past three years.

Fleming elated with Kiwi revival

Fleming fell in the fourth over for nine in the final match

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming admitted his team's whitewash against Australia was immensely satisfying.

The Black Caps failed to make the CB Series finals after losing to England in the deciding qualifying match.

"It's been an amazing week for us," he said. "We came back from Australia and copped some criticism which was quite right, but it made us more determined.

"For cricket in this country and belief in our side for the World Cup, these games have done an amazing thing."

The New Zealanders have the chance to avenge that defeat against England when they face them again, along with minnows Canada and Kenya, in World Cup Group C in the Caribbean.

It shows we've got a little bit more to do before we get to the World Cup Mike Hussey

"We now go to the West Indies with that belief, we know there's support out there and we'll give it our best shot," Fleming said.

Brendon McCullum, who led the Kiwis home with an unbeaten 86, enthused: "The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is alive and well!"

He explained the theory behind the run chase, adding: "Macca [Craig McMillan] was hitting the ball so cleanly so we worked out we needed to score at five or six an over to get to 40 overs and leave ourselves 80 or 90.

"It worked to perfection, what a crowd and what a night!"

Mike Hussey, deputising for the resting Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist, continued his unfortunate record as captain.

Hussey captained the Australian for the first time against West Indies in Kuala Lumpur last year and suffered a three-wicket defeat, and now has four defeats out of four at the international helm.

"It shows we've got a little bit more to do before we get to the World Cup," said the left-hander, who was dismissed for 13 in the final match.

Oram will miss England cup clash

Jacob Oram will miss New Zealand's opening World Cup match against England after breaking a finger in the record victory against Australia on Friday.

The all-rounder will be out for a month after fracturing the ring finger of his left hand when taking a catch in the first match of the one-day series.

Oram will see a specialist on Monday to discuss how to manage the injury.

NZ general manager Lindsay Crocker said: "At this stage, we are confident he will travel to the World Cup."

New Zealand play England, Canada and Kenya in the group stages of the World Cup, which begins on 13 March.

Oram proved his World Cup credentials with some explosive displays with the bat against England and Australia in the Commonwealth Bank campaign.

The 28-year-old scored the fastest ever one-day century by a New Zealander in blasting an unbeaten 101 from just 71 balls against the hosts in Perth.

Oram also took a liking to the England attack, hitting 86 in Adelaide and an undefeated 54 in Perth.

The injury - incurred catching Mitchell Johnson at long-on - soured a stunning win for New Zealand - the first time Australia have lost a ODI by 10 wickets.

Peter Fulton will replace Oram in the 13-man squad for the rest of the Chappell-Hadlee Series against Australia.

Tuffey handed New Zealand recall

Tuffey has been kept out of action with a shoulder injury

Seam bowler Daryl Tuffey has been recalled by New Zealand after a two-year absence for next month's World Cup in the West Indies.

He was preferred to Chris Martin and all-rounder Andre Adams to replace injured Kyle Mills in the 15-man squad.

Tuffey last played a limited overs match for New Zealand against Australia in February 2005.

But coach John Bracewell said: "We wanted an up front, outswing, new-ball bowler and Daryl fitted the bill."

A shoulder injury was one of the main reasons for Tuffey being overlooked for so long, but the selectors are satisfied his fitness problems are now behind him.

"It has been a long journey back for Daryl from such a serious injury, but the selectors have been impressed by his performances [in domestic cricket] and are satisfied he is ready once again to play international cricket," Bracewell explained.

Tuffey, who has taken 90 wickets in 76 one-day appearances, admitted his inclusion had taken him by surprise.

"I was sitting at home when I got the call. I thought it was a courtesy call to say I had missed out but [chief selector] Richard Hadlee gave me the nod and I was very happy," the 28-year-old said.

The other 14 members of the squad, which will again be captained by Stephen Fleming, were all involved in the recent Commonwealth Bank series against Australia and England.

There are plenty of bowling options with five front-line seam bowlers, including Tuffey, supported by all-rounders Jacob Oram, Scott Styris and Craig McMillan and spinners Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel.

"Our history of injuries shows that we need that cover. Fifteen is a luxury for a world tournament - normally it's 14," said Bracewell.

"But with the distance and difficulty of getting to the West Indies, we felt we needed that bowling cover rather than an extra batter of wicket-keeper, which we can cover through Lou Vincent."

Bracewell, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions that Fleming had lost enthusiasm for the captaincy after a decade in charge.

"I thought his performance both on and off the park in Australia has been absolutely outstanding - we were putting together a World Cup package and he's been tireless.

"He's worked himself almost to the point of exhaustion behind the scenes in his desire to send off a successful World Cup side. For me, without question, he is the man for the job."

New Zealand will face England, Canada and Kenya in Pool C of the World Cup, all the matches to be played in St Lucia.

---

New Zealand squad: Stephen Fleming (captain), Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Michael Mason, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Lou Vincent.

Astle announces shock retirement

Batsman Nathan Astle has shocked New Zealand by announcing his immediate retirement from international cricket.

Astle, who played 81 Tests and 223 one-day internationals, decided to quit despite the team's involvement in the current triangular series in Australia.

"I have been fighting this day for about eight months," he said.

"I so desperately wanted to go to my fourth World Cup, but deep down inside I knew I was lacking motivation and the enjoyments levels just weren't there."

The 35-year-old, who supplemented his batting by bowling deceptive medium pace, reached his decision after Tuesday's match against England in Adelaide.

"I was very close to not coming here but I really wanted to give it one last crack and see if I could find that.

"At this level you've got to have that motivation and for me the enjoyment side is huge, and it's not there any more."

He added: "Once I had made the decision that I would not be going to the World Cup, for the sake of the team I needed to go as soon as possible to make way for another player.

"I don't believe it would have been fair to my team-mates to hold on."

Astle scored 16 centuries in limited-overs internationals, a record for New Zealand, and 7,090 runs at an average of 34.92. Only current captain Stephen Fleming has scored more one-day runs for New Zealand.

He also made 4,702 runs in Tests, including 11 centuries, and took 99 wickets, but his finest achievement was an innings of 222 against England in Christchurch five years ago when his 153-ball double century became the fastest in history.

New Zealand coach John Bracewell, who dropped Astle from the national squad in 2005-06 as he struggled for form, said the player's retirement was totally unexpected.

"Statistically his record puts him into a position of greatness but probably the greatest loss will be his stability and influence inside the team.

"Over the last few years, Nathan has become a great mentor for the younger players, and sometimes the not so young," he said.

Lou Vincent has been rushed to Perth to replace Astle in New Zealand's squad ahead of Sunday's match against Australia.

Skipper Stephen Fleming, meanwhile, paid tribute to Astle, who he described as a "great sounding board" for a captain because of his "calmness and consistency".

He added: "Nathan was a very uncomplicated, naturally aggressive player, who was just great to watch."

Martin Crowe, arguably the finest New Zealand batsman of all time, said Astle had worked hard over the years to "become the best he could be".

He continued: "Nathan was a fantastic talent and a true match-winner in the one-day game. I will miss him charging the fastest of opening bowlers, smashing them back fearlessly over their heads to the boundary.

"His 16 [one-day] tons for NZ will not be matched for a long, long time. He won more matches for NZ than any before and most likely any in the future."

Kiwis plot course for World Cup

New Zealand plan to focus on building momentum for the World Cup in their remaining matches in the triangular one-day series in Australia.

The Kiwis registered their first win when they beat England by 90 runs in Adelaide on Tuesday.

"It would be great to make the finals of this tournament, then we have a tough series with Australia at home.

"After that, when you hit the World Cup you are pretty sure you have covered all your bases," said Fleming.

"That has really been our plan over the last six months."

Since reaching the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals in India last year, New Zealand's one-day form has been indifferent and the win over England was their first in the Commonwealth Bank series.

"We've been doing a lot of good things off the field, but it has been worth nothing because our performances have let all that down.

"It has been frustrating for all the people at home because we have played a pretty poor brand of cricket.

"But if we can get a bit of confidence into it - and you've got the likes of [Scott] Styris, Jacob [Oram], Kyle Mills coming back and the guys that have been competing over here - then we are not in bad shape," Fleming commented.

All-rounder Andre Adams, meanwhile, has been sent back home from Australia to get some match practice following the arrival of Oram and Mills to bolster the squad.

"Because Andre offers similar skills as Jacob, Kyle and James Franklin, he was going to struggle to get game time.

"This way he can get home and play some cricket and remain in contention for the World Cup in the West Indies in March and April," said team manager Lindsay Crocker.

Kiwis Oram and Bond on the mend

New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram has recovered from a hamstring injury to face England in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, pace bowler Shane Bond will return from his back injury to play against Australia on 28 January.

Team manager Lindsay Crocker said of Bond: "What we need to do now is give him some light training, and tonight and tomorrow we'll assess how he goes."

Oram, 28, has taken 99 wickets in 87 ODIs and can also be a big hitter in the middle to late overs of an innings.

Another all-rounder, Scott Styris, pulled out of a provincial match in New Zealand on Friday with a strained calf muscle.

New Zealand are currently winless in the tri-nations CB Series, having lost matches to Australia and England in the Tasmanian capital Hobart.

Bond cleared of stress fracture

New Zealand's injury-prone star fast bowler Shane Bond has been cleared of what was potentially a career-ending stress fracture of the spine.

Bond had to leave the field suffering back pain on Tuesday in Hobart during New Zealand's loss to England in the one-day Australian tri-series.

Bond, with 99 wickets in 53 one-day internationals, has been sidelined several times with stress fractures.

But scans of his back in Sydney on Thursday revealed no major problem.

Team manager Lindsay Crocker said: "We've been down this path with him before, had bone scans, and it's a big exhalation of air for Shane and all of us when we know it's not that dreaded stress fracture.

The cause of the 31-year-old's injury remains unknown.

"We will need to wait for a couple more days for the injury to settle before introducing him to increased workloads," Crocker said.

"How he reacts to these workloads will dictate his return to playing or if further investigation is required."

Bond, who took a hat-trick against Australia last weekend, is unlikely to play when the two sides meet again in the tri-series on Sunday.

Bond sees specialist after scare

New Zealand are set to discover on Thursday if strike bowler Shane Bond has suffered further back problems.

The 31-year-old's international career has been interrupted several times by stress fractures and he experienced discomfort against England on Tuesday.

A similar injury could not only put him out of the current series in Australia, but also the World Cup as well and he will now consult a specialist.

"He has a history of back issues, it is a concern," said coach John Bracewell.

"Shane doesn't know - and he wants to know, that's why we've got to get it checked out rather than second guess."

Bond is one of the quickest bowlers in world cricket, but has only played 16 Tests and 53 one-dayers since his debut in November 2001 because of injuries.

He began the triangular series in Australia by taking a hat-trick against the hosts - making him only the second Kiwi to do so in a limited overs international - and followed that by sending down eight tidy overs against England for figures of 0-29.

It was only after the game that his latest injury worry was revealed, but team management are hoping it will prove to be just muscle soreness.

"I'm always concerned when one of my players gets injured, and he is a key performer for us," Bracewell added.

New Zealand are already without two first-choice players with Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram both recovering from injuries, although Mills is due to join the squad next week.

Kiwis braced to take on England

Captain Stephen Fleming believes New Zealand's experience in Hobart will help them combat a refreshed England.

After two months of facing Australia, England face a different opponent on Tuesday, one that suffered a 105-run loss to the hosts on Sunday.

"We are aware that these games against England are massively important but I think we are better off having played on this pitch," said Fleming.

"I am sure England are looking forward to getting away from the Australians."

Each team plays the other two four times each in the group stage but, after two victories, Australia look the class of the Commonwealth Bank Series.

That leaves the two touring sides battling for a place in the best-of-three finals.

Fast bowler Shane Bond, who took a hat-trick on Sunday, pinpointed the Black Caps' batting as their weak point at the moment.

"We've struggled with the bat mainly. It hasn't quite clicked into gear for us. We've tried a couple of combinations and things haven't quite worked," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"We've got the talent in our squad. It's just a matter of getting into gear and I'm sure that will happen some time in this tournament."

"It's just a matter of getting into gear and I'm sure that will happen some time in this tournament"

New Zealand's Shane Bond

England should take advantage of a weakened New Zealand side now because all-rounders Jacob Oram and Scott Styris are expected back from injury in time for the next meeting between the two sides, in Adelaide on 23 January.

Meanwhile, Australia's batsmen again impressed on Sunday, hitting 289-8 thanks to half centuries from Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds and a crashing 45 from Cameron White.

Their bowlers then dismissed New Zealand for 184, only Ross Taylor showing serious resistance with 84.

"He is a good player and is going to be a good player for years to come," said Fleming of Taylor.

"It is the first time he has played in Australia and he responded very well."

Kiwi Bond aims to rattle Aussies

One-day series, Hobart: Australia v New Zealand
Match begins 2300 Saturday GMT

New Zealand begin their tri-series campaign against Australia in Hobart on Sunday, with paceman Shane Bond hoping to continue an impressive record.

The 31-year-old paceman took 14 wickets in four matches against Australia in the corresponding series five years ago, including 5-25 at Adelaide.

"They're a team I have done well against so I feel pretty confident going into this match," said Bond

"Psychologically it's about not getting daunted and coming hard at them."

Like England, New Zealand have a dismal record against Australia, losing 15 of their last 17 meetings.

Skipper Stephen Fleming saw his side draw the Test, one-day and Twenty20 series at home to Sri Lanka prior to this tournament.

"We're not exactly brimming with confidence, but we've got a good understanding of our one-day game," he said.

"Their top seven is very strong but if you put pressure on any team they can crack"

Shane Bond

Meanwhile, Bond, who captured a memorable 6-23 against Ricky Ponting's team in the 2003 World Cup Super Six match in Port Elizabeth, is preparing his teammates for a daunting mental challenge.

"Australia like to take on new players especially and I'm sure they'll target some of our new players in this series, but if you keep coming hard at them it creates opportunities," he said.

Bond was left out of the early stages of the Champions Trophy last year because of injury concerns and took five wickets in three matches.

He also missed the opening two matches of the home series with Sri Lanka, before taking three wickets in two matches.

"The encouraging thing for me is that I haven't bowled as well as I'd have liked but I've still taken wickets," he said.

"They're a very good one-day team, they always seem to step up against Australia and we've had some very tight battles"

Michael Clarke

The paceman has taken a total of 24 wickets in seven matches against the Aussies, dismissing key man Ponting six times, but is well aware of their strength in depth.

"Their top seven is very strong but if you put pressure on any team they can crack.

"You can't just restrict these guys to four an over and not take wickets - we have to take wickets and be aggressive."

Australia and New Zealand could meet as many as 10 times over the next few months, both at home and away.

And batsman Michael Clarke realised the importance of striking the first blow.

"They're a very good one-day team, they always seem to step up against Australia and we've had some very tight battles," he said.

"We've got to play them here and then we go to New Zealand before the World Cup, so we'll be looking to hopefully get our first win against them here."

---

Australia (from): R Ponting (capt), A Gilchrist, N Bracken, S Clark, M Clarke, M Hayden, B Hogg, M Hussey, M Johnson, B Lee, G McGrath, A Symonds, C White.

New Zealand (from): S Fleming (capt), A Adams, N Astle, S Bond, J Franklin, P Fulton, M Gillespie, H Marshall, M Mason, B McCullum, C McMillan, J Patel, R Taylor, D Vettori.

Srilanka VS newzealand-4th ODI

Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, will return to the side for the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka at Auckland on Saturday. Fleming sat out the first three games as per New Zealand's rotation policy ahead of the World Cup in March and the side was instead led by Daniel Vettori, the left-arm spinner.

While Nathan Astle, who opened for New Zealand in the absence of Fleming, will sit out of the fourth game, Jeetan Patel, released from the squad to play for Wellington, was recalled. Craig McMillan, who wasn't part of the third one-day squad, replaced James Marshall.

"With the continued use of Brendon McCullum at the top of the order, it is now necessary to introduce a player who can provide a powerful finish to the innings and we are looking to Craig to provide that," said John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach. He added that though Marshall was unlucky to miss out the game, the management wanted him to put pressure on those who had been selected.

New Zealand lead the five-match series 2-1 after they won the low-scoring third game played through rain interruption.

Squad
Brendon McCullum, Stephen Fleming (capt), Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, Craig McMillan, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Andre Adams, Mark Gillespie, Shane Bond, Michael Mason, Jeetan Patel

Fleming returns for NZ

Stephen Fleming will return to lead the New Zealand team for the fourth One-Day International against Sri Lanka to be played in Auckland on Saturday.

Fleming was rested for the first three matches and Daniel Vettori led the side and hands over a 2-1 advantage for the remaining two games.

As a result of Fleming's inclusion, Nathan Astle has been rested for the Auckland game while James Marshall has been left out with Craig McMillan being called back in, along with Jeetan Patel.

McMillan played in Queenstown when Astle was unavailable due to an injury while Patel was released to play for Wellington in the domestic State Shield competition on Tuesday.

Coach John Bracewell said Marshall was unlucky to miss out.

However, with the continued use of Brendon McCullum as an opener New Zealand needed a player capable of providing a powerful finish to the batting and McMillan has been given that task in Auckland.

The team for the final game, in Hamilton on Tuesday, will be named after Saturday's game.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand team to compete in the tri-series with Australia and England is to be announced on Wednesday afternoon.

NZ claim dramatic last-ball win

One-day international, Queenstown:
New Zealand 228-9 bt Sri Lanka 224-7 by 1 wicket
[Scorecard]

New Zealand hit a four off the last ball of the innings to secure a desperately close win over Sri Lanka in the second one-day international.

With the scores level, number 11 batsman Michael Mason hit Sanath Jayasuriya for four after having failed to score off the previous five balls.

Sri Lanka reached 224-7, mainly thanks to Kumar Sangakkara's 89.

But the total proved to be just within reach as Mason's heroics took his side to 228-9, levelling the series at 1-1.

Needing just a single to win the match, Mason looked to have missed his chance after failing to make contact with a misdirected waist-high full toss outside off-stump from Jayasuriya.


But the tailender, who had team-mate James Franklin unbeaten on 45 at the non-striker's end, made amends with a lofted drive to long-on at the death.

New Zealand put the visitors in to bat after winning the toss, and made early inroads with the cheap dismissals of Jasyasuiya and Jayawardene.

But Sangakkara's superb 89 - the highest score in a one-dayer at the Queenstown Events Centre - anchored Sri Lanka's innings, and included 10 boundaries.
Sangakkara provided the lion's share of the runs in partnerships with Upul Tharanga, Marvan Atapattu and Chamara Silva before being run out to leave the score at 176-5.

Lower order batsmen Farveez Maharoof (29 not out) and Chaminda Vaas (nine not out) both made quickfire runs to bring Sri Lanka's total up to 224, with Mason taking 2-50 and Mark Gillespie 2-46.

Makeshift opener James Marshall top-scored for New Zealand with a composed 50 from 80 balls, while his fellow opener Brendon McCullum made 32 before falling lbw to Maharoof with the score on 57.

But the innings soon began to wobble, slipping from 89-1 to 141-6 as Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Marshall, Craig McMillan and Daniel Vettori all departed.

Marshall's twin brother Hamish helped to steady the ship as he made 29 from 35 balls at number seven, sharing an important partnership of 34 with Franklin.

Franklin made 45 from 46 balls to take New Zealand to the brink of victory before Mason grabbed the winning runs.

The third game of the five-match series gets under way in Christchurch on Tuesday.

Vettori demands better bowling

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori wants a vastly improved performance from his inexperienced bowling attack in Sunday's one-dayer against Sri Lanka in Queenstown.

The tourists cantered to an easy seven-wicket victory in the opening match in Napier on Thursday, overhauling New Zealand's 8 for 285 with 10 overs to spare.

Veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya did most of the damage, smashing 111 runs from just 82 balls against a wayward attack missing most of New Zealand's frontline bowlers.

Vettori, who is replacing regular captain Stephen Fleming for the first two one-dayers in the five-match series, said that New Zealand's bowling attack needed to get the basics right.

"The bowling plan is exactly the same, it's just about the implementation, which we let slip in Napier," he said.

"Sri Lanka bat down to seven and eight, so you've got to take wickets at the top and try not to buy those wickets, which we tended to do in the first game."

Another potential hurdle for the home side could be the loss of experienced batsman Nathan Astle, who suffered bad bruising to his thigh as he returned to form with 83 runs in the series opener.

After a shaky start, Astle grew in confidence and controlled the tempo of the New Zealand innings, passing the milestone of 7,000 one-day international runs before being unluckily run out.

"If we lose that experience and we lose that form it's going to mean someone is going to have to step up to cover it," Vettori said.

James Marshall, who was out first ball in Napier, is likely to step into Astle's opening spot if the 35-year-old is ruled unfit to play.

Kiwi bowlers look to bounce back

New Zealand hope their inexperienced bowlers will learn from a mauling in the opening one-dayer against Sri Lanka when the teams meet again on Sunday.

Sanath Jayasuriya blasted a brilliant 111 and put Michael Mason, Mark Gillespie and Andre Adams to the sword.

"They were trying to control the game with wickets rather than good, accurate back-of a-length bowling," Black Caps coach John Bracewell explained.

"Jayasuriya gave them a good lesson that accuracy does count."

Shane Bond is likely to return for the third game in Christchurch after suffering soreness in his back, but Jacob Oram, Scott Styris and Kyle Mills are some way off.

All-rounder Craig McMillan has been drafted in to the squad, after a year's absence, with Nathan Astle doubtful after suffering bruising to his right thigh in the defeat in Napier.
Bracewell sees positives in having to persevere with raw youngsters.

"If you have good quick bowlers who can hit back of a length they are going to be handy for you in the long-run rather than the medium-pacers we continually produce," he added.

"To bowl to Jayasuirya in that sort of mood is an opportunity to learn not to fear.

"It's a great opportunity to play against an in-form side which the New Zealand public and world tend to underestimate."

Vettori to lead Kiwis for first two ODIs versus Sri Lanka

WELLINGTON: New Zealand cricket has adopted the rotation policy for their World Cup build up, with Daniel Vettori named Saturday as captain for the early stages of the Sri Lanka one-day series.

Vettori takes over the reins from Stephen Fleming for the first two games in the five-match series. Express bowler Shane Bond will also sit out the first two matches as New Zealand cricket follows the highly successful All Blacks' rugby policy of giving frontline players plenty of rest to keep them fresh for key matches.

Vettori was the first key cricketer subjected to the policy -- sitting out the two-match Twenty20 series, which ends in Auckland on Tuesday.

Fleming has captained New Zealand in 195 matches of his 257 one-day game career, though vice-captain Vettori has led the side in eight one-day matches over the past two seasons.

The injury-prone Bond, who played in Friday night's 18-run Twenty20 loss to Sri Lanka in Wellington, has been diverted to a reconditioning programme. However, he is likely to figure when the squad is reselected for the final three one-day games against Sri Lanka, starting in Christchurch on January 2.

The one-day series opens in Napier on December 28, with the second game scheduled for Queenstown on New Year's Eve.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Michael Mason, Brendon McCullum, Jeetan Patel, Ross Taylor.

Sri Lanka win Wellington Test by 217 runs

Six wickets from Muttiah Muralitharan helped Sri Lanka win the second and final test against New Zealand by 217 runs on Monday to square the series at 1-1.

Muralitharan took 6-87, for match figures of 10-118 and his19th ten-wicket haul in tests, as a valiant effort from New Zealand's tail finally ended when they were dismissed for 286before tea on the fourth day.

The hosts had won the first test by five wickets in Christchurch last week. Resuming on their overnight 75 for two, New Zealand slumped to 163 for seven before the tailed wagged.

Daniel Vettori struck 51 and James Franklin 44 in an eighth-wicket stand of 96 before Vettori became Muralitharan's fifth victim when he was trapped lbw.

The end came soon after as Shane Bond was caught behind off Farveez Maharoof for six and Franklin was last man out, caughtby Chamara Silva on the midwicket boundary off Muralitharan.

Facing an enormous task at the start of play in pursuit of an unlikely victory target of 504, the Kiwis lost the key wicket of skipper Stephen Fleming when he edged to Kumar Sangakkara for 27 off the bowling of Lasith Malinga.

Muralitharan claimed his second wicket of the innings andfirst of the morning when Mathew Sinclair holed out to Mahela Jaywardene for 37 to make it 139 for four.

Murali then trapped Nathan Astle lbw for nine and bowled Brendon McCullum for 17, either side of Chaminda Vaas gaining an lbw verdict against Jacob Oram (4), as the hosts lost three wickets for the addition of seven runs to fall to 163 for seven.

New Zealand had been skittle for just 130 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 268, while an unbeaten 152 in his second test from Silva formed the backbone of Sri Lanka's second-innings effort of 365.

New Zealand win Christchurch Test by five wickets!

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand secured a nervous five-wicket victory in the low-scoring first test match against Sri Lanka in Christchurch on Saturday.

Set a target of just 119 after Sri Lanka were dismissed for170 in their second innings, the hosts lost four wickets for ten runs to be 68 for four before they scrambled home just after tea on day three.

Kumar Sangakkara (100no) struck his 11th test century to give the tourists hope after they resumed on their overnight 125 for eight, but he ran out of partners as Sri Lanka looked to post a tricky target on an inconsistent Jade Stadium track.

New Zealand started their chase promisingly, openers Craig Cumming (43) and Jamie How reaching 58 without loss before a slump of four wickets for ten runs gave Sri Lanka cause for optimism.

How was trapped in front by Muttiah Muralitharan for 11before Cumming was caught behind off Chaminda Vaas with the score on 66. Skipper Stephen Fleming got a three-ball duck when he was caught lbw by Vaas before Muralitharan completed the collapse by having Mathew Sinclair caught by Sangakkara for four to make it 68 for four.

But Nathan Astle (24) calmed matters with a stand of 35 with Jacob Oram (12 not out) before he again fell leg before to Muralitharan.

Brendon McCullum went in for a quick kill as he struck two fours and a six in his breezy 14 to take the Kiwis over the finishing line, hitting the winning runs to the mid wicket boundary.

Earlier, Sri Lanka lost Lasith Malinga for a 28-ball duck and Muralitharan run out for eight while Sangakkara, starting the day on 63, was stranded on 100.

Malinga's vigil was ended when he was caught behind by McCullum to earn James Franklin his second wicket.

The innings ended in controversial manner when Muralitharan was run out by McCullum after completing the single that earned Sangakkara his century. Umpire Brian Jerling deemed the ball to still be alive when the off-spinner went to congratulate his team mate and he was given run out when McCullum broke the stumps to the consternation of the Sri Lankan duo.

The second and final test starts at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Dec 15.