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Injured Fleming out of NZ side

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is ruled out of tomorrow's day-night one-day international against India due to a groin injury and is almost certain to miss the rest of the series in which New Zealand have a 1-0 lead.

Fleming's injury flares up periodically. He had a mild recurrence of it after the second Test. New Zealand's physiotherapist Mark Harrison believes that rest is the sole cure. Fleming left the field in pain during the one-day international in Taupo and had he been required to bat, would have done so with a runner.

Fleming is the second casualty in the New Zealand squad. Nathan Astle was put out of action after fracturing his hand in the Wellington Test.

All-rounder Dion Nash takes over the captaincy and Fleming's batting place goes to 34-year-old Bryan Young, who yesterday became the highest scorer in New Zealand's one-day competition, the Shell Cup. While scoring 64 for Auckland against Canterbury, he overtook Rod Latham's aggregate of 2,206. Left-arm pace bowler Geoff Allott is expected to come in for Simon Doull.

''We have picked him on form and experience,'' said Ross Dyke, convenor of the selectors, regarding young's selection and added that he will open the innings tomorrow with Matthew Horne, with left-hander Roger Twose dropping down the order.

Fleming will have a scan in Christchurch on Wednesday and if that confirms a deep-seated tendon tear he will probably require surgery and a four-week layoff.

Nash said while the team was familiar with the pattern initiated by Fleming and coach Steve Rixon, he wasn't going to be a puppet for them out in the middle.

"We've got a fairly good formula we are working to and it is just a matter of taking that over, but there will be my natural slant on it," Nash said.

"Once you are out there you have to play it how you see it and that is exactly how I intend doing it."

Nash has limited experience as a leader. He has captained Northern in the Conference Competition for the past two seasons and New Zealand 'A' against Pakistan a last month, but his only other experiences were at club level and for his high school.

"I'm looking forward to it with a few apprehensions but it will be a nice challenge,'' Nash said. "I realise I'm only taking over Flem's ship which is on track at the moment and my job is to keep the reins straight."

India is likely to be boosted by the return of leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who dropped out due to a neck injury in Taupo and was replaced by Kanitkar.

Kanitkar took his opportunity with some handy runs at the tail and may keep his place, with either medium pacer Venkatesh Prasad or Nikhil Chopra dropping out. A decision on whether Kumble plays will be made after final warm-ups tomorrow.

The pitch is in keeping with McLean park's tradition of producing a hard and true batting surface. With a promising forecast match officials are predicting a crowd of between 10,000 to 12,000.

The teams

New Zealand: Dion Nash (captain), Matthew Horne, Bryan Young, Craig McMillan, Roger Twose, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori, Gavin Larsen and Geoff Allott or Simon Doull.

India: Mohammad Azharuddin (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh Sr, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Anil Kumble, Nayan Mongia, Nikhil Chopra, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi. Two of these are to be omitted.

Umpires: Steve Dunne, Chris King. Third umpire: Evan Watkin.