Pura Cup round delayed to help New Zealand

A round of Pura Cup matches has been delayed by a day so six Australians can play in a New Zealand tournament, which has been scheduled after the early departure of Sri Lanka due to the tsunami tragedy. The extreme measure means Matthew Elliott, Ian Harvey, Shane Warne, Andy Bichel, Justin Langer and Michael Bevan will figure in the three matches on January 22, 24 and 26.

James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said the ICC, New Zealand Cricket and the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations had asked for help to program the games. "Rescheduling the January 27-30 round of Pura Cup to January 28-31 will allow Australian players to take part," he said.

Sri Lanka were due to play five one-day internationals and two Test matches, but the tour was abandoned on December 29. New Zealand won the first ODI at Auckland by seven wickets.