Start of NZ v Windies test further delayed

WELLINGTON, Mar 25 (Reuters) A wet outfield has further delayed the start of the third and final test between New Zealand and West Indies in Napier today.

Heavy overnight rain had caused officials to abandon the first session, due to have begun at 2230 GMT.

Further inspection at the scheduled lunch break at 0030 revealed the outfield was still damp.

Fast bowler Shane Bond returned to the New Zealand side after missing the 10-wicket victory in the second test at the Basin Reserve with a stomach virus.

Kyle Mills and off spinner Jetan Patel have been released to play domestic cricket.

New Zealand have wrapped up the series after a 27-run victory in the first test in Auckland and the 10-wicket win in Wellington.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Peter Fulton, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Chris Martin.

West Indies (from): Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Runako Morton, Brian Lara, Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Ian Bradshaw, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Rawl Lewis, Devon Smith, Fidel Edwards.

Reuters DH VP0650