STEPHEN FLEMING has been included in a New Zealand squad of 12 named on Monday for the second cricket Test against South Africa at Jade stadium, Christchurch, starting on Thursday. Fleming, who underwent a groin operation in January and hasn’t played a first-class game since, has been given 48 hours in which to prove his fitness. If he is unable to do so then Canterbury captain Gary Stead will take his place. Stead, who forced his way into contention via a gritty 70 against the tourists at Lincoln Green on Sunday, has been put on stand-by. The 27- year-old Stead, however, will only play if Fleming doesn’t.
The squad: Matthew Horne, Bryan Young, Roger Twose, Nathan Astle, Stephen Fleming (capt) or Gary Stead, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, Simon Doull, Geoff Allott, Shayne O’Connor.