Franklin to miss 1st Test

Left-arm seamer James Franklin is set to miss the first Test between his country New Zealand and Australia, due to a groin injury. The late news means that Kyle Mills comes into the side ahead of other seam option, fast bowler Ian Butler.

Franklin was set to start the series following on from his surprisingly good form in England earlier this year, as he returned to the New Zealand fray amidst a severe injury crisis.

Relative veteran Craig McMillan is also set to play in the first Test match, as he replaces Hamish Marshall who played against Bangladesh recently. The move has been attributed to a desire for experience to face the undisputed number one ranked Test team.

On the Australian side of preparations, Brett Lee continues his 12th man run and will instead be available for New South Wales, whilst Shane Warne returns from injury that Australia can boast a full-strength lineup.

[U]Full Squads:[/U]

[B]Australia[/B] RT Ponting (C), AC Gilchrist (wk), ML Hayden, JL Langer, DR Martyn, DS Lehmann, MJ Clarke, SK Warne, JN Gillespie, MS Kasprowicz, GD McGrath.

[B]New Zealand[/B] SP Fleming (C), BB McCullum (wk), MH Richardson, MS Sinclair, NJ Astle, SB Styris, CD McMillan, KD Mills, CS Martin, JDP Oram, DL Vettori.

Posted by Liam