Mason to replace Tuffey at Dunedin

Michael Mason will replace Daryl Tuffey in Tuesday's fourth National Bank Series match against South Africa at Carisbrook in Dunedin. Tuffey, who was to have been rested for the game in Wellington, will rest his knee and return for the fifth game at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Mason, who has been in fine form as part of the State Shield-winning Central Districts team, was described by John Bracewell as "the ideal bench player." The official New Zealand website quoted Bracewell as saying, "Michael offers the same skills [as Tuffey] to be honest - he's a wicket-to-wicket bowler and with short square boundaries, we will need wicket-to-wicket bowlers."

"He's a workaholic on his bowling, he's been brilliant to have around and I can understand why New Zealand Cricket have taken him on tours because he's the ideal bench player. There are no grumbles, it's all work ethic and it's all enthusiasm. Those sorts of guys are invaluable and create some depth in your squad."