Cricket: NZ bats first as Taylor passed fit

Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bowl first as Ross Taylor was a late inclusion for New Zealand in the third Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day cricket international at Seddon Park here today.

In a big boost for the home side, key batsman Taylor passed a late fitness test on the hamstring strain which ruled him out of their 12-run defeat to Australia in Auckland on Saturday.

But there was some bad news on the New Zealand injury front too, with allrounder James Franklin (hamstring strain) and paceman Daryl Tuffey (calf strain) both ruled out today.

Both players had restricted movement and while their injuries weren't considered serious, it was enough to see them omitted, with the five-match series poised at 1-1.

It meant a return to New Zealand colours for Central Districts paceman Michael Mason, 35, who played the last of his 25 ODIs against Scotland in Aberdeen in July 2008.

Australia also suffered some pre-match drama, with vice-captain Michael Clarke quitting the tour for personal reasons last night, meaning a recall for batsman Adam Voges in the only change from Auckland.

The weather was fine and warm with a start due on time at 2pm (NZT) at Seddon Park, where the full house signs had already gone up.

Teams.-

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Peter Ingram, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, Michael Mason.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Adam Voges, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger.

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan), Billy Bowden (New Zealand).