Wellington, Nov 21: Top-order batsman Craig Cumming and all-rounder Tama Canning are among seven newcomers to New Zealand's one-day cricket side for a five-match tour of Pakistan. The tour was placed in doubt this past week because of an e-mail threat received by a New Zealand diplomatic mission. But New Zealand cricket decided Tuesday the tour would go ahead after being assured by Pakistan of increased security.

It will be New Zealand's first visit to Pakistan since May 2002 when they fled the country after a bomb exploded outside their hotel in the Southern Port city of Karachi.

Fourteen people were killed in the blast, including 12 foreign workers. None of the cricketers were hurt. The revamped New Zealand team for the matches starting Nov 29 include Richard Jones, Hamish Marshall, Michael Mason, Matthew Walker and Kerry Walmsley, all who have not played one-day internationals.

Nathan Astle and captain Stephen Fleming were not considered because of injury and Kyle Mills was ruled out with a viral infection.

Shane Bond, who is playing for the New Zealand Academy, is in the final stages of his rehabilitation from injury and was also not considered. New Zealand team: Chris Cairns (captain), Tama Canning, Craig Cumming, Chris Harris, Paul Hitchcock, Richard Jones, Hamish Marshall, Michael Mason, Brendon Mccullum, Jacob Oram, Mathew Sinclair, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori (vice captain), Matthew Walker, Kerry Walmsley.

Bureau Report