Veteran all rounder Chris Cairns has been left out of the New Zealand one-day squad announced on Monday for a five-match series against South Africa.
Coach John Bracewell, however, said the dropping of the 35-year-old for the series starting on October 23 did not signal an end to Cairns's international career.
"Chris Cairns was not selected due to issues with his cricket fitness," Bracewell said in a statement.
"I have met with Chris to discuss his non-selection and what is required for him to play his way back into the side.
"He is focused on playing in the World Cup (in 2007) and will have plenty of opportunity to return to form and full match fitness over the domestic season. He will be considered for a return to international cricket later in the summer.
"James Franklin has been brought into the team to replace Chris. We felt we had enough batting options, but needed an additional bowling option."
HARD-HITTING
A hard-hitting middle order batsman, Carins broke into international cricket as a tearaway fast-medium bowler.
Despite several knee injuries that severely curtailed his potential and career, he developed into a true all rounder, gradually increasing his test batting average to 33.40 while reducing his bowling average to 29.40.
A former Nottinghamshire county player, Cairns retired from tests at Trent Bridge in 2004 at the end of New Zealand's tour of England. He had scored 3320 runs and taken 218 wickets at 29.40.
Cairns has played 208 one-day internationals scoring 4738 runs with four centuries at an average of 29.06, while taking 195 wickets at an average of 32.04.
Off spinner Jetan Patel, who made his first senior appearance on the recent tour of Zimbabwe retained his place in the squad.
"Jeetan Patel showed good progress in his first tour in Zimbabwe," Bracewell said.
"He provides a second spin bowling option and is good in the field. He is a long term investment and deserves to be retained for a second tour."
New Zealand would tour with 15 players to allow them to experiment with tactics involving substitute players, Bracewell said.
The Black Caps play a Twenty20 match at Johannesburg on October 21 before five one-day internationals that finish in Pretoria on November 6.
They then return to New Zealand for a three-match one-day series against Australia in December and will head back to South Africa for a three-match test series in April 2006.
Squad: Stephen Fleming (captain), Daniel Vettori, Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent.
