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Brendon McCullum fit to play ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 tie against Afghanistan

McCullum received a nasty blow on his left arm from Australia pacer Johnson on Saturday.

Brendon McCullum fit to play ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 tie against Afghanistan
Brendon McCullum received a nasty blow on his left arm from Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson on Saturday © Getty Images

Auckland: New Zealand are confident that captain Brendon McCullum will be fit for next Sunday’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 clash against Afghanistan despite taking a nasty blow on his left arm from Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage

McCullum hit a quickfire 50 in Saturday’s tension-packed one-wicket win over the four-time champions at Eden Park, but needed lengthy treatment on his swollen forearm. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS

However, coach Mike Hesson expects McCullum to be fit for the remainder of the pool stage matches even though the Black Caps have already made sure of their place in the quarter-finals.

“It’s pretty swollen at the moment, he looks a bit like Popeye,” Hesson said on Sunday. “We’ll make another assessment in a day or so, but all signs are that he will be fine.”

New Zealand have fielded the same team for all of their four wins do far leaving remaining squad players, Tom Latham, Nathan McCullum, Mitchell McClenaghan and Kyle Mills, kicking their heels.

“When you have a week between games, if you leave out some of your key players, it can be two weeks before they play again, which is a long time,” added Hesson. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE

New Zealand face Afghanistan in Napier next Sunday before completing their group campaign against Bangladesh in Hamilton on March 13. New Zealand beat Australia by one wicket

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