Pace cricket bowler Daryl Tuffey has earned a surprise recall to the New
Zealand cricket squad for the icc cricket world cup west indies 2007 starting
next month. 
Tuffey was included in a 15-man New Zealand cricket squad announced
on Tuesday after paceman Kyle Mills was ruled out of the tournament last
week to undergo knee surgery.
Tuffey, 28, has not played an international cricket match in
almost two years after suffering a shoulder injury but cricket coach John Bracewell said he was an ideal replacement for Mills.
"It has been a long journey back for Daryl from such a serious injury,
but the selectors have been impressed by his performances and are satisfied
that he is ready to once again play international cricket," Bracewell said
in a statement.
Tuffey was preferred to Andre Adams and Chris Martin.
"We wanted a genuine replacement for Kyle Mills, which
meant outswing bowling," Bracewell said. "Chris and Andre are more
suited to the middle of the innings. We needed a new-ball bowler who bowled
outswing and that`s what swayed it."
Bracewell said New Zealand`s record of injury problems among
their fast bowlers was another factor behind Tuffey`s selection.
"Our history of injuries show that we need that cover. Fifteen is a luxury
for a world tournament, normally it`s 14," he said.
"But with the distance and difficulties of getting to
the West Indies we felt we needed that cover at the top of the bowling order
rather than an extra batter or wicketkeeper which we can cover through Lou Vincent."
There were no other major surprises in the New Zealand cricket
squad, which will be led by Stephen Fleming and his vice-captain Daniel Vettori.
Bracewell dismissed suggestions that Fleming has lost his enthusiasm for the
captain`s job.
"I thought his performance both on and off the park in Australia has been
absolutely outstanding -- we were putting together a World Cup package and he`s
been tireless," Bracewell said.
"He`s worked himself almost to the point of exhaustion
behind the scene in his desire to send off a successful icc cricket world cup
west indies 2007 side. For me without question he is the man for the job --
both him and Daniel Vettori."
Tuffey was the only member of the squad who did not play in
the recent tri-series against Australia and England but he will be involved
in the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia starting
on Friday.
New Zealand are drawn in Group C at the icc cricket
world cup west indies 2007 with England, Kenya and Canada.
New Zealand icc cricket world cup west indies 2007 squad -
Stephen Fleming (captain), Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, James Franklin,
Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Michael Mason,
Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Lou Vincent.
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