Muller, Kelly in doubt for Canty games

CRICKET

TOPORDER batsman Nick Kelly and seamer Travis Muller remain in doubt for Otago’s onedayers against Canterbury in Queenstown on Friday and Sunday.

Kelly split his finger while trying to stop a shot during a twenty20 game against Northern Districts on February 7.

He had his stitches removed yesterday but coach Rob Walter said it was too early to say whether he would be available or not.

Muller has been nursing a knee complaint. He did not feature during the T20 competition but made some key contributions in the first half of the Ford Trophy.

Walter will name his side this afternoon and the Volts leave for Queenstown tomorrow morning.

‘‘We are just waiting to hear about Nick’s finger and Muller is coming back from injury, so there are a few moving parts,’’ he said.

Muller had a full bowling load yesterday, so if he came through unscathed he will be in contention for a spot.

Like everyone else in the sports industry though, the Volts are waiting anxiously to see whether the Covid19 alert levels will move today and what impact that will have on the oneday tournament.

‘‘At this stage we are just carrying on as normal and are just waiting on the

Governments’ decision. If it goes to Level 3 then they will decide what happens to the games but my sense is we will still be able to play.’’

Otago is in third place in the Ford Trophy with three wins from six games.

It has a tough run into the playoffs, however.

It has backtoback games against Canterbury in Queenstown and two games against Wellington at the Basin Reserve to complete the roundrobin phase.

The Volts made the final last summer but Auckland secured a twowicket win to claim the title.