Mason called up as injuries hit

Central Districts fast bowler Michael Mason has been called into the New Zealand squad as cover for Shane Bond and James Franklin.

Shane Bond is still struggling with a knee injury, which kept him out of the first Test, and there were no guarantees he would be fit for the second Test at Cape Town starting next Thursday.

With James Franklin also struggling with a injury, Black Caps Manager Lindsay Crocker said “Our concern is that, if Shane is not available for Newlands, we’ll have no cover for the balance of the pace attack and that’s why we sent for Michael.”

“It’s just got to the stage where we have to make a decision in terms of having someone over here in time for the second test.”

Mason initially missed the tour due to a long-standing ankle injury but managed to get through the recent State Championship domestic four-day final without any trouble to confirm his fitness.