Nehra back in India team

BOMBAY, Nov 2 (AFP) - Indian cricket selectors have recalled fast bowler Ashish Nehra for the next two league matches of the ongoing triangular one-day series.

The left-arm seamer replaced Laxmipathy Balaji in a 14-member team for day-night games against New Zealand and Australia, cricket board secretary Karunakaran Nair said Sunday.

Nehra, 24, has not played international cricket since the World Cup final against Australia in South Africa in March due to an ankle injury. He has so far bagged 45 wickets in 39 one-dayers.

India will play New Zealand at Cuttack on November 6 and World Cup winners Australia at Bangalore on November 12 in their next two games.

Australia currently lead the league table with two victories from three matches, followed by India (1/3) and New Zealand (0/2).

Nair said skipper Sourav Ganguly could be considered for the match against Australia if he passed a fitness test.

Ganguly was ruled out of the first four games of the ongoing one-day series because of a thigh injury.

Rahul Dravid is leading the squad in Ganguly’s absence.