New Zealand's one-day team to tour Sharjah and Pakistan is to be named tomorrow on what should be the next phase of the side's World Cup '03 development.

But such is the injury count at the moment that it can only be an exercise in match strategy involving some of the second tier of players who may or may not be called on in the final count, depending on the injuries down the line.

Out of consideration are: Chris Cairns, Shane Bond, Dion Nash and it could be that the national selectors decide that Daniel Vettori deserves a rest in preparation for the Pakistan Test series which follows the two one-day exercises in Sharjah and Pakistan.

Fourteen players are to be named for the tour which includes a minimum of four games in Sharjah and three in Pakistan.

In Sharjah, New Zealand play Sri Lanka on April 9, Pakistan on April 11, Sri Lanka on April 14 and Pakistan again on April 15.

The tournament final is to be played on April 17.

The basis of the side obviously has to be the team which beat England 3-2 and which made the finals of the VB Series in Australia.

That would see: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Daryl Tuffey and Andre Adams as certainties for the side.

Chris Nevin should be retained as wicket-keeper and with the absence of Adam Parore for future consideration, there is a chance for him to claim the position for himself with the gloves and as an opener.

If the selectors decide that Vettori is still in good enough condition to make the tour then he too, will be in the automatic category. However, if he is rested, then Auckland's Brooke Walker must be the favoured option. He has had chances in the past and while he was covering for injury to Vettori, there must be hope that he has had a chance to absorb the lessons and be reconsidered.

Glen Sulzberger has also been part of the mix in recent times and it could be that he gains his place if two spinners are preferred.

One important decision that will be made is whether Brendon McCullum holds his place in the squad. He is a long term investment by the selectors and he has too much to offer to be placed on the substitutes' bench and he should retain his spot.

James Franklin should also be recalled to the side to continue his education in international play and his recent run scoring for Wellington will have been appreciated by the selectors.

Another consideration will be Central Districts' captain Jacob Oram back in action after missing much of the season with a foot injury. He was shaping as a key element in New Zealand's one-day planning after last summer and given the on-going problems with Cairns, he should be a consideration for the side.

The final choice will be in the bowling attack. Whether Scott Styris offers anything more in the bowling than that offered already in the attack and it may be that a workhorse-type of bowler like Chris Drum, especially with the Pakistan leg of the tour in mind, catches the selectors' eyes.

That would leave the team possibly looking like: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Chris Nevin, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori/Brooke Walker, Glen Sulzberger, Daryl Tuffey, Andre Adams, James Franklin, Jacob Oram, Chris Drum.

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