Cricket: Captains reckon drawn series only fair

Daniel Vettori. Photo / Getty Images

Man of the match Dan Vettori remains unconvinced about sticking at No 6 long term in the New Zealand test batting lineup.

After his 134 - his fifth test century and third this year - which anchored the first innings 471 in the drawn third test against Pakistan, the New Zealand captain maintained it would depend on the composition of the team.

"I still prefer to go in with six batsmen and four bowlers [meaning he would stay at No 8], but we need a couple of those batters to bowl, the likes of Jesse Ryder or Grant Elliott if they are fit," Vettori said last night.

The next test of his preference will come when Bangladesh play one test, at Hamilton from February 15.

"I'm sure that will be debated with the other selectors, but the option for me to go there is there, and if it's needed I will."

New Zealand were disappointed that rain deprived them of an opportunity to win the test, and series, yesterday. But Vettori steered away from claiming New Zealand had the better of the rubber, and suggested a draw had been a reasonable reflection of the merits of the two teams.

"I'm pleased we fought long and hard enough to give ourselves a chance this afternoon," he said.

He praised the efforts of debutant opener BJ Watling, whose snappy 60 not out off 62 balls pushed New Zealand hard towards victory.

But Vettori acknowledged batting is the area of the New Zealand's game which still needs attention.

"We put 470 on board so we've got to look at our batting as a collective.

"We know there are still areas of concern in our batting. Our seam bowlers were fantastic throughout the series. We couldn't really ask much more of them."

Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf reckoned a drawn series was fair.

"I think both teams are similar. Both have good players.

"[New Zealand] had their own conditions. It's very difficult all the time to play away series. Conditions are against us all the time," he said.