Wellington, Mar 3 : New Zealand batsman Grant Elliott is not worried over his lack of match practice before one-day series against India.

One of the stars of the Chappell-Hadlee series, Elliott, has not batted since the Twenty20 defeat to Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on February 15.

Five games were at his disposal, but he was made to rest, did not bat and suffered a washout with Wellington and then was 12th man for New Zealand's two Twenty20 matches against India, Stuff. co. nz reported.

"I'm not worried by that. It was all Twenty20 cricket and you can lose a bit of shape playing that, so I'm ready to go," he said after stroking the ball sweetly during practice at nets.

Wellington, Mar 3: New Zealand batsman Grant Elliott is not worried over his lack of match practice before one-day series against India.

One of the stars of the Chappell-Hadlee series, Elliott, has not batted since the Twenty20 defeat to Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on February 15.

Five games were at his disposal, but he was made to rest, did not bat and suffered a washout with Wellington and then was 12th man for New Zealand’s two Twenty20 matches against India, Stuff. co. nz reported.

Wellington, Mar 3: New Zealand vice-captain Brendon McCullum, who is struggling with his fluency, is expected to reproduce his Twenty20 form in the one-day international format.

Better known as a dasher when facing the shiny white ball, McCullum’s problems in finding momentum in the early overs of the two Twenty20 matches were instrumental in New Zealand winning by seven and five wickets respectively.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori was delighted in his ability to plug away when apparently bogged down.

Wellington

Wellington  - Th

Wellington  - New Zealand and South Korea will start negotiations on a free trade pact as soon as possible, leaders of the two countries announced Tuesday after a summit meeting in Auckland.

The announcement came following talks between New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and the South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, who is on a two-day visit to the South Pacific nation.

"Our relationship with Korea is strong and vibrant, and we would like to further strengthen this relationship, building on extensive bilateral cooperation in recent years," Key said.

A joint statement said the leaders emphasised the importance of maintaining open markets and shared concerns for the deepening economic crisis.