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Styris out to cement Twenty20 spot

The New Zealand allrounder is determined to force his way back into the starting XI at the ICC World Twenty20

Cricinfo staff
24-Apr-2010
Scott Styris played a key role in getting Auckland to the HRV Cup final  •  Getty Images

Scott Styris played a key role in getting Auckland to the HRV Cup final  •  Getty Images

Scott Styris, the New Zealand allrounder, is determined to force his way back into the starting XI at the ICC World Twenty20. Styris is not a guaranteed starter despite having been part of the squad for the previous two tournaments, as well as after a successful return to the ODI squad against Australia in March, during which he averaged 49.00 with the bat.
"I didn't make it for the home season, so at no stage have I thought I'm in the playing XI," he told the New Zealand Herald. "I have to go out and put good performances on the board, otherwise I'll find myself sitting watching these games, which is not what I want."
Styris had a successful domestic season, during which his all-round skills proved central in Auckland making the HRV Cup final. He was deemed surplus to New Zealand's requirements for the home ODIs against Bangladesh, but turned heads with an unbeaten 49 off 34 balls in the first ODI against Australia in Napier. New Zealand lost the series but Styris contributed further scores of 46, 41, 8 and 55. In a side for the World Twenty20 which features rookies and players on the comeback trail from injury, Styris' experience is highly valuable and he was focused on making a statement.
"The selectors, over the last 12 to 18 months, have shown in their view I'm not in the Twenty20 side, so I've got to change that, whether I think I should be or not. It's up to me to go out and try and change their opinion," he said. "I've had a wee bit of a break and now it's up to me to make sure I hit the ground running."
New Zealand open the tournament on April 30 with a fixture against last year's finalists Sri Lanka.