Nathan McCullum likely to miss first game

ESPNcricinfo staff

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	Nathan McCullum has played in 16 of New Zealand's last 20 one-day matches © AFP Enlarge

New Zealand will most likely be without offspinner Nathan McCullum for their first match of the World Cup, against Kenya on Sunday, after he spent two days in hospital with a high fever. McCullum was discharged on Saturday morning, but captain Daniel Vettori said he did not want to risk him for Sunday's match.

"Nathan has been discharged from the hospital this morning [Saturday morning] and joined us for a light session during the day," Vettori told ESPNcricinfo. "He is a lot better and we might take a decision on playing him. He is confident that he can take part in the match tomorrow, but I do not want to take a risk with him since he is required for the full tournament."

McCullum reported to the team's medical staff that he felt unwell on Thursday night, and they discovered he had a high temperature, so he was taken to a hospital in Chennai, where the New Zealand team are staying. He stayed in hospital through Thursday night and Friday.

Over the last six months, McCullum has established himself as a regular member of New Zealand's starting XI in ODIs, playing most often as a second spinner alongside captain Daniel Vettori. He has started in 16 of New Zealand's last 20 one-dayers and, though he has not always been among the wickets, has managed to maintain a decent economy rate of 4.50 in the last 12 months. He has also contributed runs down the order, scoring two half-centuries in New Zealand's recently concluded home series against Pakistan.

New Zealand's other spin option is left-armer Luke Woodcock, who has played only two ODIs. New Zealand come into the tournament low on confidence after having lost 14 of their last 16 ODIs.