Fleming rested as NZ Cricket go for rotation

CRICKET: WELLINGTON, Dec 23, New Zealand Cricket has adopted the All Blacks' rotation policy for their World Cup build up, with Daniel Vettori named Saturday as captain for the early stages of the Sri Lanka one-day series.

Vettori takes over the reins from Stephen Fleming for the first two games in the five-match series. Express bowler Shane Bond will also sit out the first two matches as New Zealand cricket follows the highly successful All Blacks' rugby policy of giving frontline players plenty of rest to keep them fresh for key matches.

Cricket coach John Bracewell wants to ensure he has depth of experience for the World Cup in the West Indies in March and April, just as All Blacks' coach Graham Henry is eyeing the rugby World Cup in France later in the year.

Vettori was the first key cricketer subjected to the policy - sitting out the two-match Twenty20 series, which ends in Auckland on Tuesday.

Fleming has captained New Zealand in 195 matches of his 257 one-day game career, though vice-captain Vettori has led the side in eight one-day matches over the past two seasons.

The injury-prone Bond, who played in Friday night's 18-run Twenty20 loss to Sri Lanka in Wellington, has been diverted to a reconditioning programme.

AFP