Styris doubtful for semi

New Zealand’s build-up to Wednesday’s ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia at Mohali has suffered a setback with Scott Styris failing to recover as well as had been hoped from his back injury.

Styris, who was troubled by the injury during his innings of 86 against Pakistan last week, was expected to return to full fitness in time for the semi but has been unable to be involved in anything more than light exercise in the hotel swimming pool.

Although still hopeful of having the all-rounder fit to play a full part in the match, team management admit he’s likely to struggle to fully recover in time, and it is possible that he will be ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, allowing the addition to the squad of young Central Districts batsman Ross Taylor.

But it’s not all bad news on the injury front for New Zealand as it seems almost certain that paceman Shane Bond will be fully fit for the match after straining his hamstring in the team’s 51-run win over Pakistan.

New Zealand admit that they would have preferred the semi-final to be against hosts India, but are now excited about the clash with their trans-Tasman rivals in Mohali on Wednesday.