Cairns to play at Canberra
New Zealand Cricket - 20 October 2001

CLEAR Black Caps all-rounder, Chris Cairns, has been named in the line up to play the ACT Invitation XI in a 4-day game in Canberra starting tomorrow (Sunday 21 October).

It will be Cairns first game of international cricket this year since undergoing surgery to mend an injury to the patella tendon in his right knee.

CLEAR Black Caps coach, Denis Aberhart, says it's a lift to the whole team to have Chris back out in the middle.

"Chris not only brings back his obvious strengths with both the bat and ball to the side, but also a high level of experience and professionalism," says Aberhart.

As well as Cairns, two other changes have been made to the team that played the Queensland Academy of Sport.

Craig McMillan, Daryl Tuffey and Dion Nash will be rested and Lou Vincent, Glen Sulzberger and Cairns will take their places in the side.

Aberhart says the change is part of the team's rotation policy.

"It's always been our intention to give everyone a run before we name the Test side."

The full team is Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Matthew Bell, Chris Martin, Shayne O'Connor, Glen Sulzberger, Mathew Sinclair, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent, Adam Parore and Chris Cairns.

© New Zealand Cricket


Teams Australia, New Zealand.
Players/Umpires Chris Cairns, Denis Aberhart, Craig McMillan, Daryl Tuffey, Dion Nash, Lou Vincent, Glen Sulzberger, Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Matthew Bell, Chris Martin, Shayne O'Connor, Mathew Sinclair, Daniel Vettori, Adam Parore.
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