Northern Districts allrounder Scott Styris is a rather stereotypical New Zealand selection, but has became an integral part of the team - a fact highlighted by an outstanding 2007 World Cup. He had nearly 10 years of domestic cricket before he was called up to the Test squad, having made his one-day international debut much earlier. Originally a seamer, a knee injury forced him to take his batting more seriously, and he switched from being a bowler who can bat into being a batsman who occasionally bowls. He was awarded his Test cap on the eve of the Karachi Test in May 2002, only for it to be taken back when the match was cancelled as a result of a bomb blast. When he finally got the chance he scored a century and a half-century on debut against West Indies. On the same tour of the Caribbean he broke the New Zealand record for one-day bowling with 6 for 25 in Trinidad. He has been encouraged by John Bracewell to work on his offspin as an option which would put less strain on his body, but this has yet to be unveiled. Having spent the best part of 11 years with Northern Districts, Styris signed for Auckland - and in 2005 was tempted by Middlesex for a stint in the county game. He continued a strong link with English cricket, taking up a mid-season contract with Durham in 2007. A thrilling 101 in New Zealand's chase of a then-record 322 against Australia at Christchurch was followed by useful contributions in the one-day series against West Indies at home. A timely unbeaten 103 on and some key wickets on the first day at Auckland saw New Zealand take a series lead in the Tests. A back injury ruled him out of the home series against Sri Lanka in December 2006 but he returned in time for the last few games of the tri-series in Australia and was considered fit enough to be named in the 15-man World Cup squad where he was one of the leading performers with 499 runs at 83. After a poor Test series against South Africa in November 2007, he was dropped from the Test side for the home series against Bangladesh. In a bid to prolong his career in the limited-overs formats, he announced his retirement from Tests in February 2008.
Martin Williamson February 2008

• Styris out of action for six weeks (Dec 27, 2008)
  
• A few alarms but no surprises (Jul 4, 2008)
  
• Buoyant New Zealand head north (Jun 30, 2008)
  
• Styris stars as New Zealand secure series (Jun 28, 2008)
  
• Hurtling into a new era (Jun 13, 2008)
  

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Dec 13, 2008 Scott Styris carries his daughter © Getty Images

Oct 4, 2008 Scott Styris gets aggressive in the nets © AFP

Oct 1, 2008 Scott Styris cuts loose at the nets © AFP

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