Styris back-strain causes alarm

Scott Styris has given the New Zealand selectors a potential headache on the eve of the NZ Champions Trophy squad announcement after being troubled by back pain, while playing for Middlesex against Yorkshire in a County Championship match.

Black Caps Manager Lindsay Crocker told The Dominion Post: “We don’t quite know how bad it is but we should do by Thursday.”

“It’s a back problem, something is playing up which he’s not happy about, which is unfortunate,” he added.

Styris who is captaining Middlesex has had a heavy work load with bat and ball, but has in the process been successful in helping Middlesex avoid relegation from division one.

Styris is averaging 37.22 with the ball, and 42.42 with the bat from 10 first-class matches.

There is some good news for Black Cap fans however with Shane Bond, Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram all over-coming their injuries and being passed fit to tour.

Central Districts pace bowler Michael Mason is the only player within the 30-man shortlisted squad to be ruled out after failing to recover from injury.

New Zealand’s Champions Trophy campaign starts on 16th October against South Africa in Mumbai.