McCullum fit to play Afghanistan - coach

Reuters

3 March 2015 at 7:32 pm

New Zealand's captain Brendon McCullum reacts as he walks off the field, after being dismissed for 77 runs from 25 deliveries, during the Cricket World Cup match against England at Wellington Stadium in Wellington February 20, 2015. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps

NAPIER (Reuters) - New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum batted with freedom in the nets on Wednesday and should be fit to play Sunday's World Cup clash against Afghanistan despite taking a heavy blow to the arm

against Australia.

McCullum was hit high on the left forearm by a Mitchell Johnson delivery in Saturday's one-wicket win over Australia and received treatment on the ground, though it did not force him off Eden Park.

"Yep, there's no reason for him not to play," New Zealand coach Mike Hesson told reporters in Napier on Wednesday where the team re-assembled after three days off.

"The swelling is going down. It looks a bit ordinary at the moment but he's batted today without any issues. He's fine."

Unbeaten New Zealand lead Pool A on eight points and face Afghanistan at McLean Park on Sunday before their final clash against Bangladesh in Hamilton on March 13.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Ian Ransom)