Ross Taylor on stand by for Styris

Ross Taylor, the Central Districts batsman, will fly to India on Saturday to join New Zealand's Champions Trophy squad if Scott Styris is forced to return home due to a recurrence of a back injury. Styris, who missed the first game against South Africa, has been ruled out of New Zealand's second game against Sri Lanka along with Shane Bond who hasn't recovered from a back strain.

Styris had injured his back while playing for Middlesex and returned to New Zealand mid-way through the 2006 county season. He was passed fit for the Champions Trophy after months of rehabilitation but the injury recurred during a training session in Mumbai. "Scott has had a recurrence of a back strain. We want to give Scott every opportunity to remain in the squad and play later in the tournament," said Lindsay Crocker, New Zealand's manager, "In the meantime Ross will take the time to acclimatise and prepare should he be required."

Taylor made his debut against West Indies in March. A hard-hitting batsman, he managed 46 runs in two innings and was considered unlucky not to be in the initial Champions Trophy squad after a prolific 2005-06 season in which he averaged 59 with three hundreds and three fifties in 13 List A innings.