England call-up Harris but New Zealand warm-up ruined by rain

Monday, February 4, 2013
7:30 AM

England’s first Twenty20 warm-up match against a New Zealand XI lasted just 9.1 overs before it was washed out by rain at the Cobham Oval - and is scheduled to take place tomorrow instead.

Stuart Broad was fit to lead his team, as he continues his recovery from a bruised heel, but managed just seven deliveries before rain intervened terminally.

Broad took the new ball in company with Steven Finn, who was crashed for two off-side fours in his first over by Hamish Rutherford and then a six over cover in his next.

The captain fared better but gave himself just one over with the new ball, and his introduction of Chris Woakes brought Rutherford’s downfall when he mistimed an attempted pull and fell to a very good catch by Broad running back at wide mid-on.

Rutherford’s fellow opener Anton Devcich and Tom Latham continued to enjoy a pitch of decent pace, in another all left-handed partnership which took the score to 70 for one by the time rain ended proceedings.

The match will be restaged at the same venue tomorrow, from 2pm local time.

England have called up uncapped seamer James Harris as Twenty20 cover for Stuart Meaker on their tour of New Zealand.

Meaker was unavailable for selection for the opening warm-up match in Whangarei because of a neck strain.

Harris, already part of England’s squad for the forthcoming three-match one-day international series, will therefore fly to New Zealand early.