McCullum returns, Pakistan choose to bat

A washout in the second ODI in Napier has given Pakistan a chance to end a dismal tour – they lost the preceding Twenty20 worldwide series 2-1 – on a high note.

New Zealand now leads the three-match series 1-0. And it would be understandable if thoughts were already turning to the contests with their fierce local rivals, especially as captain Brendon McCullum, who will retire after the Australia series, will be returning to the squad for the final match with Pakistan. Should they go on to win the third and final ODI against Pakistan in Auckland on Sunday (January 31), they could move to third in the rankings.

Tom Latham has been named as cover for returning captain Brendon McCullum, though the batsman will leave the group pending McCullum’s fitness. “Bowling yorkers is skill execution, and we didn’t do that”, Flower said. That means that the best Pakistan can do from here is a draw in the series.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s 13-man squad has notable absentees in Tim Southee and Ross Taylor, who have are unavailable due to injuries.

“The Chappell Hadlee Trophy is something we want to hold on to”. Not New Zealand. New faces have stepped up and helped the side out of strife when required.

“I have no intention of stepping down. In all the games we were guilty of not finishing well when we got in a good position”.

New Zealand have been forced to submit a formal apology after the stadium announcer played the sound of a cash register during one of Amir’s spells with the ball in hand. Mitchell McClenaghan was ruled out for the remainder of the series after suffering a hairline fracture just above his left eye – hit by a Anwar Ali bouncer in the series opener.

Australia, who flew to New Zealand on Saturday, would be without coach Darren Lehmann for the one-day series as he recovers from deep vein thrombosis that has restricted his travel.