Bond included for third one-dayer

Shane Bond, the fast bowler, has been added to New Zealand's squad for the third one-dayer against Sri Lanka at Christchurch on January 2. Bond, who's had a start-stop career owing to a slew of injuries, missed the opening two games to undergo a reconditioning program.

With New Zealand pulling off a thrilling one-wicket series-levelling win in the second match at Queenstown, the selectors retained the same 12 that were selected for the first two games. Craig McMillan, who came into the squad to cover for the then injured Nathan Astle, has been released.

On regular captain Stephen Fleming's omission for the third consecutive match, John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, said that the purpose was to give Fleming an extended break and also to assess Daniel Vettori's captaincy.

The series is evenly poised after two matches - Sanath Jayasuriya steered Sri Lanka to a 1-0 lead before James Franklin starred in a thrilling series-levelling win.

New Zealand squad Nathan Astle, Brendon McCullum (wk), Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Andre Adams, Daniel Vettori (capt), Shane Bond, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Michael Mason, Jeetan Patel.