Hopes that Auckland all-rounder Tama Canning might force his way into the New Zealand one-day team were dashed last night when the International Cricket Council was queried about Canning's eligibility.

Canning, a member of the New Zealand team which toured England during the winter, scored 92 runs off 77 balls to guide Auckland to an improbable Shell Cup win over Otago at Alexandra yesterday.

Following some useful bowling performances during the summer he was seen as the most likely contender to be the bolter that selection convener Sir Richard Hadlee had said could be named in the side to play Zimbabwe in the three-game one-day series starting in Taupo on Tuesday.

Hadlee said that New Zealand Cricket's director of cricket John Reid informed the panel last night that there could be a problem about Canning's selection.

Born of New Zealand parents in Perth, he came to New Zealand's Academy last year, having already been in the Australian Academy and touring Zimbabwe where he played first-class cricket for the Academy side.

Both counts meant he was subject to the ICC's rulings on citizenship. They are that a player must have lived in a country for four years before being eligible for selection for that country.

New Zealand Cricket sought clarification from the ICC on the matter and the New Zealand panel was informed today that Canning would not be available to be considered.

Hadlee said selector Brian McKechnie had been in touch with Canning, who had not been informed of his potential inclusion at the time the query was made with the ICC.

Canning had confirmed that he was still keen to play for New Zealand and was prepared to wait for another two years to do that.

If he returned to Australia, Canning would have to go through the same process and wait another four years to be considered for any Australian sides.

© CricInfo