Oram will be missed - he caused England problems at Lord's

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming woke with an ear infection 24 hours before the critical second Test against England at Headingley.

Fleming did not practise on Wednesday but team management hope he will play.

New Zealand already have to cope with the fact all-rounder Jacob Oram cannot bowl and Craig McMillan could miss the match with a broken finger.

At least one of batting pair Michael Papps and Mathew Sinclair could now play for the Black Caps.

Oram has a side strain that means he can only be used as a batsmen, restricting the Kiwis' bowling options.

McMillan was due to make up his mind by Wednesday whether to risk playing in the Test, but the news from Fleming has thrown New Zealand's plans into disarray.

Experienced batsman McMillan was hit by a Darren Maddy delivery during the game at Leicester and it was confirmed he has broken the same finger he fractured earlier in the tour.

"It is part and parcel of touring that people get injured. In the end I will have to assess things and it will come down to his comfort after an injection. He wasn't that comfortable today," said coach John Bracewell.

McMillan batted through the first Test with a broken finger

"Jacob will be considered but not necessarily selected. His inability to bowl does complicate the balance [of the side]."

Kyle Mills could play if necessary, but even without Oram, the Kiwis have four seamers and one spinner in their ranks.

Sinclair, the only New Zealander to make a double century in his debut Test, has been playing East Anglian Premier League cricket with Swardeston, in Norfolk.

New Zealand have also recruited former Nottinghamshire seamer Kevin Cooper as a temporary bowling coach as they look to capitalise on Headingley's traditionally helpful surface.

Despite their problems, Bracewell believes they are good enough to bounce back following their defeat in the first Test at Lord's.