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Gary Stead felt let down after being left out from the New Zealand one-day cricket team named to face South Africa in Napier tomorrow.

``I'd be lying to say I wasn't disappointed. I had pretty high hopes of being selected,'' said Stead, who was back to his usual job as Canterbury Cricket's coaching director yesterday.

Stead had, not unreasonably, hoped his innings of 27, 68, and 33 in the past two tests against the Proteas would carry enough weight with the selectors to force his inclusion in the Black Caps' limited-over team.

But the selectors opted for Bryan Young as top order batting back-up, along with the return of skipper Stephen Fleming.

``It depends on what balance they wanted with the team I suppose. My aim now is to keep improving my game so they will pick me again,'' Stead said.

National selection panel convener Ross Dykes said that although Stead was not in the preliminary 19-man World Cup squad it did not preclude his selection for the one-day matches against South Africa.

Stead can now only be included in the World Cup group if there is injury to one of those already named. Stead is hopeful of being considered for the England tour, which follows the World Cup.

``Again it depends how the selectors see things. England is a development tour and it depends what way they want to go with younger players.''

Stead believed his performances had enabled him to get a step ahead of some of the contenders.

``Having had a taste of test cricket and done okay against supposedly one of the world's top two countries, I'd like to get another go. It's done my confidence the world of good. I think I am mentally tougher but I know I've got some technical aspects to work on and will go hard on that over winter.''

Stead said he tried to regard the renowned Proteas pace attack, including Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock, as just ``another bowler and focus on watching the ball from the hand''.

``But sometimes it's hard not to get caught up in the fact that you're playing for New Zealand and there's the media and television coverage.''

Stead has one more confirmed cricketing commitment at least this season. He will play for Riccarton at the national club championship in Auckland, starting next Wednesday.