KENDAL Cricket Club's new professional New Zealand batsman Jamie How made an unscripted appearance at the ICC World Cup on Friday.

Altthough selected in the World Cup squad for the series, How's chances of playing were reckoned to largely depend upon a mishap to one of his batting colleagues.

But New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori surprised many pundits by choosing How instead of all-rounder Jacob Oram in the XI to face Australia at Ahmedabad.

It was a gamble to try to bolster the batting admitted Vettori and one that did not play off as New Zealand lost by seven wickets.

How was trapped leg before to Steve Smith for 22, having shared a seventh-wicket stand of 48 with Nathan McCullum as New Zealand were in recovery mode.

New Zealand were dismissed for 206 in 45.1 overs .

Australia knocked off the runs in 34 overs at 207 for three.

Vettori told the media afterwards:"We wanted to strengthen our batting and expected How to perform.

"He is a very capable player but it was just not his day.

"I was confident that we could get 260-270 on the board. But Mitchell Johnson was just too good. I think he finished the match in the first 16 overs itself."