Ross Taylor: Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills to miss game against Sri Lanka – ICC World Cup 2011 news
New Zealand vice-captain Ross Taylor confirmed on Wednesday that the regular captain Daniel Vettori and the spearhead pacer Kyle Mills will be rested in their final league game against Sri Lanka on Friday.
Taylor said that the step was taken to ensure that the key players are available for the knockout stage of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2011.
“We are looking at having Kyle Mills and Daniel Vettori fit for the quarterfinals,” said Taylor who will lead the side in Vettori’s absence. “Their injuries have come along fine but they probably are not ready for this match.”
Speedster Mills had his left quadriceps injured while bowling against Canada and left the field after delivering just 16 balls in which he picked up two wickets as well. The media manager of New Zealand, Ellery Tuffin said that it was not
a serious injury and the decision to rest him in the final game was just a precautionary measure. Tuffin also confirmed that Daryl Tuffey has been called in as replacement for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mills-c76321.
The regular skipper, on the other hand, picked up knee injury during the game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in Kandy and left the field in the midst of the match. The injured right knee made Vettori miss the match against minnows Canada, which the Kiwis
won by 97 runs under http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915’s captaincy.
Taylor, who was the stand-in captain against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748 and is gearing up to lead the Black Caps for the second game running, was disappointed over forced replacements. However, he did add it would help them try the replacements ahead of the
knockout stage.
“It's disappointing not to have them for the match but their absence gives opportunity for someone else to step up and perform their role,” said the Wellington-born all-rounder.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Luke-Woodcock-c1860 is a strong contender to play against Sri Lanka as Vettori’s substitute but Taylor said that they are still deliberating whether to replace Vettori with an extra bowler or an extra all-rounder.
New Zealand’s top order has been remarkable in the last two outings and the Kiwis are expected to play against Sri Lanka with an unaltered batting order.
Both http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 have qualified for the knockout stage but the victor of Friday’s game would start the second round of the esteemed tournament with a lot of confidence.
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