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Mohali, Oct 31: New Zealand grappled with injury worries ahead of their semi-final encounter with Australia with all-rounder Scot Styris virtually ruled out and spearhead Shane Bond being a doubtful starter for the crunch game.
Styris has not recovered from a hamstring and back injury and was quite unlikely to take the field for the day-night match.
"It is unlikely that he (Styris) will be able to play because of a hamstring and back injury. His bowling would have been handy in these conditions," New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming told a pre-match press conference.
Fleming said Bond picked up a hamstring strain but the team management was hopeful that the bowler would recover in time for the crucial contest.
"Bond picked up a hamstring strain. We are hoping that he will be alright. Let us see how it goes," he said.
Fleming said Hamish Marshall or Peter Fulton had a good chance of coming into the team in place of
Styris.
"We have some options. Spinner Jeetan Patel is there and he could also be used," he added.
The Kiwis skipper said playing against their Trans-Tasmanian rivals always brought the best out of them and his players were geared up for the semi-final.
"Playing against them is always competitive. I think we can compete with them better now than say 10 years ago. We are all excited about the clash," he said. (Agencies)
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