Pune, Nov 02: New Zealand got a big boost ahead of their one-day tri-series match against Australia here tomorrow when key all-rounder Chris Cairns was ruled fit for the crucial tie. Cairns, who pulled his hamstring during New Zealand's rain-abandoned tri-series opener against India in Chennai, missed the team's second match against Australia in Faridabad on Wednesday.
"Cairns is fully fit," New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming told reporters here on the eve of the match.
However, the Kiwis were hit with a fresh injury blow with right-arm medium fast bowler Paul Hitchcock being ruled out of tomorrow's match. But more than fitness worries, it was Fleming's own form which was troubling him ahead of the clash with his trans-Tasman rivals.
"It has been frustrating personally for me on this tour. Hopefully I will strike form in tomorrow's match which is very crucial to us," said the Kiwi skipper.
Fleming, who was left ruing a wrong decision to bat first in the Faridabad match which New Zealand lost by eight wickets, said the toss would be very important given the nature of the wicket at the Nehru Stadium.
Fleming said the playing eleven would be decided only after taking another look at the wicket tomorrow. "The outfield too looks heavy, so let us wait and see," he said. Bureau Report