Pakistan vs New Zealand Sharjah Test: Vettori's return bolsters Black Caps

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is excited at the prospect of veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori's return to Test cricket in the third and final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old spinner was surprisingly added to the Test squad to bolster New Zealand's chances of levelling the series they trail 1-0 after losing the first Test and drawing the second.

Vettori played last of his 112 Tests (111 for New Zealand and one for ICC World XI) in July 2012 and had all but ended his Test career due to persistent injury problems.

McCullum said it would be an achevement for Vettori to become the most-capped New Zealand player.

"We are really excited about his return," McCullum said Tuesday. "He is the most capped player with Stephen Fleming and it is a tremendous achievement over which all are proud off."

Vettori will overtake Fleming who also played 111 Tests for New Zealand.

McCullum said Vettori will also be part of the one-day series which follows the Test.

"It is a one-off Test situation for him as he was over here preparing for the one-dayers.

"We think using three spinners and Dane being the third one, the workload might not be overly excessive. With the  World Cup around we don't want to break him in a one-off Test match situation and we think we can certainly manage," said McCullum.

Vettori will replace out of form all-rounder Jimmy Neesham from the second Test XI with the other two spinners - Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig - retained.

This will be the sixth time New Zealand enter a Test with three spinners in the last 30 years, losing five of those Tests and drawing one.

McCullum said the plan to play Vettori was well debated.

"We spoked to Dane earlier in the tour. The wickets over here are so suited to spin bowling. So considering the fact it has been very hard on the bowlers, we looked at perhaps the balance of the team and we decided that a spinning all-rounder will also be handy at No.6 position.

"After seeing how fit and strong he is, which is another important point because his fitness is at a level where he feels comfortable he can operate in this Test match, and obviously the enthusiasm which he brings to the group and experience as well is great." 

McCullum added: "Dane is an optimist as well and he is excited about the opportunity and I am sure he will be a bit nervous as it is couple of years since he donned the black cap but he is a wonderful player.

"Even if it's maybe his last one and it will be great fun to play and go out on his terms and rather than slide out of his wonderful Test career."

Toss

Besides Vettori, the toss will also be a key factor as the team winning the toss dictated terms in the first two Tests.

Pakistan piled up 566-3 after winning the toss and then spun out New Zealand twice for a comprehensive win.

Despite the odds, New Zealand staged an impressive comeback in the second Test in Dubai, winning the toss and dictating terms before Pakistan, set a target of 261 on the final day, salvaged a draw to set up an intriguing finale.

Pakistan's spinners - left armer Zulfiqar Babar (13 wickets in two Tests) and leggie Yasir Shah (11) - will hold the key.

But McCullum said his team can take confidence from an improved performance in the second Test.
"We would have loved to have won the second Test," said McCullum.

"But you have to look at what we have done in Dubai, bank the confidence and head to Sharjah knowing that we have an opportunity to win away from home if we play up a little bit up."

Pakistan will bring in opener Mohammad Hafeez who missed the second Test due to a hamstring injury.

His bowling action was reported as suspect after the first Test but he can bowl in Sharjah, pending a report of a bio-mechanical analysis performed in England on Monday.

He returned to Sharjah early Tuesday and will replace Taufeeq Umar while paceman Mohammad Talha is likely to come in for Eshan Adil who suffered a side strain.

Misbah wants Pakistan to improve their fielding in Sharjah after dropping a number of catches in Dubai.

"I am pretty pleased with the bowling and batting," said the Pakistan captain.

"In the field we need to take our chances because on these sort of wickets if you miss chances it could be really difficult for the bowlers.

The two teams also play two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals after the Tests.

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sarfraz Ahmed, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Hamish Rutherford, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.

Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Tv umpire: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
 

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