Cricket-Bracewell ruled out of test after standing on glass

DUNEDIN, New Zealand, March 5 (Reuters) - Pace bowler Doug Bracewell has been ruled out of New Zealand's first test against England after cutting his right foot on glass while cleaning up after a party at his house.

The 22-year-old had been expected to have a fitness test on Tuesday, with the first test of three starting on Wednesday, but coach Mike Hesson told reporters at University Oval that he was still unable to put any weight on the foot.

"The physio before we came to training said he was no chance of playing so we've removed him from the 12," Hesson said. "He'll stay with us during the week and hopefully be ready in time for the second test."

Neil Wagner is likely to slot into the side in the third pace bowler role. Ian Butler, who was brought in as cover in case Bracewell failed to recover, and left arm spinner Bruce Martin would contest the final place in the starting side.

Bracewell sustained the injury while cleaning up his house in Napier after a party on Friday when some friends came over to watch Super Rugby matches.

New Zealand Cricket were forced to address the issue after local media reports said neighbours had complained about excessive noise at Bracewell's house last Thursday when the player was out of town.

"We've told Doug that he needs to take responsibility for what happens around him and that he needs to do all he can to ensure his preparation for international cricket is not compromised," team manager Mike Sandle said in a statement.

"Doug is very sorry for any inconvenience he has caused his team-mates and members of the public, and he has apologised to his neighbour in Napier."

Captain Brendon McCullum said he felt the incident had been blown out of proportion.

"It was an accident, and that's unfortunate, because it's rubbed him out of a (test) which he was determined to be at his best for," McCullum said.

"It's disappointing from his point of view, but I stress that I think he'll be back for the second test and I also stress it gives Neil Wagner an opportunity."

Hesson emphasised that Bracewell was unavailable due to the injury and had not been dropped for disciplinary issues.

"Doug was away from the team and ... there's not a lot we can do when he's away from the side," Hesson added.

"The expectation is that what they do certainly doesn't conflict or affect their preparation and we're pretty strong on that.

"(But) in terms of this test match he's got a hole in his foot caused by standing on some glass and that's a big loss (and) really disappointing for Doug and the team because he's a crucial part of our seam attack."

(Editing by Ian Ransom)

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Cricket-NZ seamer Bracewell cuts foot on glass, doubt for test

March 4 (Reuters) - New Zealand seamer Doug Bracewell is a doubt for the first test against England, which starts in Dunedin on Wednesday, after cutting his foot on glass when cleaning up after a house party.

"He's got a cut on the inside of his right foot at the moment," a New Zealand Cricket spokesman said on Monday.

"He's walking, they don't know too much about the injury at this stage.

"It'll be decided tomorrow as to whether he'll play."

The 22-year-old would miss training at Dunedin's University Oval on Monday, but no other player had been called in as cover, the spokesman added.

Following Dunedin, New Zealand host England in the second test in Wellington from March 14, with the third and final test in Auckland starting March 22.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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Nepal's women climbers break highest glass ceiling

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — It's the world's highest glass ceiling. Of the 3,755 climbers who have scaled Mount Everest, more than half are Nepalese but only 21 of those locals are women.

Aiming to change the all-male image of mountaineering in this country, a group of Nepalese women have embarked on a mission to shatter that barrier by climbing the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents.

The women, aged between 21 and 32, have already climbed Everest in Asia, Kosciuszko in Australia and Elbrus in Europe. They are preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa to mark International Women's Day this week.

"The main goal of our mission is to encourage women in education, empowerment and environment," Shailee Basnet, the 29-year-old team leader, said before leaving for Africa.

Women in this Himalayan nation rarely got the chance to climb because they were confined to their homes while their husbands led expeditions or carried equipment for Western climbers, Basnet said.

It was only in 1993 that a Nepalese woman — Pasang Lhamu — first reached the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) summit of Everest. She died on the way down.

According to Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepalese women had traditionally expressed little attraction to mountaineering.

"It is only recently that women have shown interest," Tshering said.

Since they climbed Everest in 2008, the women have spoken in more than 100 schools across Nepal to tell students about their mission.

"We are hoping to attract more women to mountaineering, both as a profession and as a hobby," said Pema Dikki, 25, another member of the team.

Basnet said the response to the Everest climb encouraged them to push ahead.

"After Everest, we felt that we needed to go beyond the borders, so we decided to travel to all seven continents to climb the highest mountains there," Basnet said.

Basnet said the team members have spent their savings, taken out loans and sought sponsorships to finance their expensive gear, climbing permits and plane tickets.

The team plans to speak to students while in Africa to spread their theme, "You can climb your own Everest," to encourage girls to stay in school.

The team will be joined by two women from Tanzania and one from South Africa during the Kilimanjaro climb.

Nepal has eight of the 14 mountains that are more than 8,000 meters (26,240 feet) in height.

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