Injury: Ishant may miss first ODI

WELLINGTON: Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma is likely to sit out Tuesday's first one-day international at Napier while Ian Butler will make a comeback to the New Zealand one-day side after five years.

Ishant injured his right shoulder while fielding Friday and was assessed by the team physio after a MRI scan Saturday.

Team manager Niranjan Shah said that the scan had revealed some bruises on Ishant's shoulder and the fast bowler will be closely monitored. 'But it is likely that Ishant may miss the first ODI against New Zealand,' he said.

In the New Zealand team, besides Butler, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder and Kyle Mills also make their come-back in the one-day team from injury. Chief selector Glenn Turner said the squad reflected the sizeable pool of players in consistent good form at international and domestic levels.

The selectors decided not to include a second spinner in the initial ODI squad, Turner said. 'Knowing the way the Indians play spin bowling in limited overs cricket, we think the attack will benefit from having an extra seamer.'

Turner said the squad had been named only for the first three matches.