New Zealand name squad for World Cup

 Updated at: 1125 PST,  Wednesday, January 19, 2011
 WELLINGTON: New Zealand cricket chiefs backed their struggling one-day team to reverse a dramatic form slump, avoiding wholesale changes in the World Cup squad named on Wednesday.

Chief selector Mark Greatbatch said the Black Caps had a point to prove after losing their past 11 one-day internationals, including series whitewashes against Bangladesh and India.

"We have kept faith with the bulk of the team which played the five-match ODI series in India and believe that, despite recent one-day form, the squad is very capable," he said.

"(They) owe it to themselves and the New Zealand fans to put in a huge performance at the World Cup."

Cricket's showpiece event in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka runs from February 19 to April 2.

Greatbatch said the squad, captained by Daniel Vettori, had an experienced core, with six players who helped New Zealand reach the semi-finals for the fifth time at the last World Cup in 2007.

All-rounder Luke Woodcock, 28, is the only uncapped ODI player in the squad, securing his berth with his strong domestic form for Wellington.

"He has a good head on his shoulders and his selection provides the option of playing three spinners, which could be useful in the subcontinent," Greatbatch said.

Injury-prone all-rounder Jacob Oram was also named, with Greatbatch saying his domestic performances after returning from a stint on the sidelines made the fitness gamble worthwhile.

Greatbatch singled out Jamie How as a batsman who needed to improve after failing against India but said his ability to provide wicketkeeping back-up to Brendon McCullum had helped sway selectors.

"Some might think he's a bit lucky after the last few innings in India but over the last 15 months he's actually performed in the limited forms of the game at various levels," he said.

Bowler Daryl Tuffey was the highest-profile omission from the squad.

New Zealand's 15-man World Cup squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.

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Younis falls as 2nd Test reaches climax

 Updated at: 0932 PST,  Wednesday, January 19, 2011
WELLINGTON: Younis Khan was dismissed in the final over before tea to leave the second test between Pakistan and New Zealand finely balanced on the last day on
Wednesday.

The tourists were 160 for four at tea and need a further 114 runs in the final session to win the two-test series 2-0, having won the first match in Hamilton by 10 wickets.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was on 37, having helped Younis (81) grind his way to a 22nd Test half century, to recover Pakistan's run chase after they had slumped to 42 for
three in the first session at a sun-drenched Basin Reserve.

Misbah, who had been batting for almost four hours and faced 122 deliveries, and Younis looked to have given up any pretence of chasing down the target between tea and lunch before they slowly began to increase the scoring rate.

The capture of the wicket of Younis, caught by Reece Young off Tim Southee, however, has given New Zealand the sniff of victory if they can strike early after tea.

The previous two days' final sessions have seen six wickets fall on each day.

New Zealand had made the perfect start when Taufeeq Umar was trapped in front by Southee for a duck on the first ball of the second over of the day, leaving the visitors at 4-1.

Martin then trapped Azhar Ali lbw for 10, then had Hafeez (32) caught by Ross Taylor at first slip in successive overs to leave Pakistan in trouble at 42 for three. Martin now has 199 Test wickets.

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