7 Mar 2010

Blackcaps call in Stewart as cover

4:00 pm on 7 March 2010

Injury-hit New Zealand have called up uncapped batsman Shanan Stewart for Tuesday's third one-day international against Australia at Hamilton's Seddon Park.

The Blackcaps went into Saturday's second game in Auckland without leading batsman Ross Taylor, who pulled out of the side with a hamstring injury after scoring 70 in a man-of-the-match performance in Wednesday's opening clash in Napier.

All-rounder James Franklin broke down with a hamstring strain in Saturday's match, as the Black Caps turn to Stewart in a bid to halt Australia's momentum following the touring team's 12-run win in Auckland.

The Blackcaps have named Stewart, 27, in their 30-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean in April.

Skipper Daniel Vettori, who missed Wednesday's game with a neck strain and was set to also miss the second match until Taylor pulled out, gave a remarkable performance to win the man-of-the-match award with 70 runs and two wickets.