McCullum si going to miss first two Twenty20s

New Zealand have suffered a setback as Brendon McCullum is likely to miss the first two Twenty20s against Pakistan due to back stiffness. On Wednesday, he had been named in the squad for the three Twenty20s over the next week but his availability was in doubt after a fitness test. New Zealand are already missing regular captain Daniel Vettori, who has been rested for the Twenty20s.

McCullum had injured his back during the second Test against India in November, in which he scored a double-century to secure a draw, but played in the third Test and three of the five ODIs that followed. The back problem had ruled McCullum out of much of the ongoing HRV Cup, New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 tournament, as well. He plays as a specialist batsman in Tests but continues to keep in the shorter formats.

"He has shown great determination and a great willingness to push through discomfort in order to help New Zealand during the recent tour of India," said selector Glenn Turner, "but because Brendon is committed to being a wicketkeeper-batsman for New Zealand in limited-overs cricket, we are taking a longer-term view and will not risk further setbacks."

The first Test against Pakistan starts on January 7, for which McCullum is expected to be definitely available, though whether he plays the final Twenty20 on December 30 will depend on the result of another fitness test.

"The medical staff are confident that intensive treatment and the right rehabilitation will stabilise his injury and get him back to full fitness," Turner said. "He may be available for selection in the third Twenty20 as a batsman but only if the testing and assessment prove that his involvement will not have a detrimental affect on his overall recovery and his ability to wicket-keep in the one-day series."

The Pakistan series is rounded off by six one-dayers starting January 22 and will be the final international matches for both teams before the World Cup.

Pakistan v South Africa 3rd ODI at Dubai Preview

Pakistan play South Africa in the fourth ODI of the series. South Africa leads 2-1 and will look to bag the series in this penultimate match.

The good news from Pakistan’s perspective is that after a continuous struggle with the bat in the lead-up to the series and in the series as well, they have had a couple of good games where they have run the opposition close. South Africa, on the other hand, had begun well on the tour but suddenly seemed to have lost their bearing in the second and the third ODI. They managed a nervous win in the third match but the scoreline could have easily been 2-1 in favour of Pakistan.

South Africa will go in favourites into the game with an offer of 1/2 (SportingBet) as compared to 7/4 (Blue Square) if Pakistan win.

After his initial half century, Younis Khan (4/1 at Totesport) has failed to impress and that has contributed to their top-order woes. Fortunately, for two games in a row the lower-middle order has performed their task well and carried the side out of trouble. Misbah-ul-Haq (8/1 at William Hill) lost his place in the ODI side and it looks unlikely that he will be selected in this game and Imran Farhat (9/2 at BetFred) should maintain his place in the side.

Surprisingly, Umar Akmal (5/1 at Boylesports) hasn’t played a single game in the series so far and with the series at stake, he could just be afforded an opportunity.

Hashim Amla (3/1 at Boylesports) continues to dominate the proceedings for the South Africans, following his 65 with an unbeaten century in the third game. What he needs is for some batsman in the top-order to assist him. With the status on the Graeme Smith (4/1 at William Hill) hand injury unknown, one can hazard a guess that he may be afforded more rest to allow him to recover fully from the issue.

In his absence, Jacques Kallis (7/2 at BetFred) will look to overcome his previous game’s duck and bat through the innings given his seniority.

Pakistan seemed to have caught up with the Proteas in the previous couple of games but after the successive games, the question that needs to be asked is whether they have any more fuel in their tank. South Africa should be favourites for this one.

Tips:
Favourites: South Africa (1/2 at SportingBet)
Top South Africa batsman: Jacques Kallis (7/2 at BetFred)
Top Pakistan batsman: Younis Khan (4/1 at Totesport)