Email Us Forum Mail Article Print Article

Cairns & Kumble Out Of Clash

Thursday, November 6 2003

All-rounder Chris Cairns will miss New Zealand's crunch game against India.

Injury-prone Cairns left the field with hamstring problems during Monday's defeat against Australia and has failed to recover in time for tomorrows match with India.

The loss to New Zealand came at one of the worst possible times as a loss for New Zealand on Thursday would take their fate out of their own hands ahead of the triangular final.

They would then need to win their remaining two games and hope Australia beat India on 12 November to have a chance of reaching the decider.

Cairns missed the recent Test series against India before hobbling off the field during the Kiwis' rain-hit one-day opener and missing the next two games.

"Cairns hasn't come through" coach Ashley Ross told reporters after the player failed a fitness test.

Meanwhile India will be without leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who is mourning the death of his father.

But they have been boosted by the return of paceman Ashish Nehra, who has recovered from ankle surgery and is likely to play.

Sairaj Bahutule has been drafted in as Kumble's replacement, but India are undecided if they will play him or left-arm spinner Murali Kartik.

Dravid added India are unlikely to tinker with their batting line-up, despite Australia's second-string attack bowling his side out for 209 last Saturday.

"I don't think we will have too many changes," he said.

"This is a crucial game. We know the value of winning this game."

Posted by Richard