Cricket: Nathan McCullum enjoying Vettori's return

Black Caps spin bowler Nathan McCullum. Photo / Getty Images

Offspinner Nathan McCullum says it's fantastic to have rival spinner Dan Vettori back in the New Zealand team - even though it might impact on his match time in the leadup to the World Cup.

Former captain Vettori played both ODIs against South Africa in Mt Maunganui last week, his first international action since the middle of last year.

Atlhough he took no wickets, he was tidy and economical.

McCullum played the first game, for a similar return, but sat out the second defeat last Friday. Vettori may be omitted for tomorrow's final ODI at Hamilton's Seddon Park.

Selecting one, or both spinners invariably comes down to the pitch conditions, so both know the score.

''Any time you've got that experience and knowledge and skill, it's fantastic to have him back," McCullum said today.

''I think it's crucial to have someone like him back in the mix and can only be good for the team. To have his knowledge about is great for me personally."

The likelihood is there will be places for two spinners in the New Zealand squad of 15 for next year's World Cup.

Providing both are fit when the squad is named in early January, they are the obvious candidates.

Left arm spinner Vettori, 35, has played 275 ODIs for New Zealand, taking 276 wickets. McCullum, a year younger, has been around a while too, having played 68 ODIs since 2009.

McCullum said the situation remains the same for him, with our without Vettori's presence.

''I still have to go about my business. There's no expectation of what I have to do and it's up to both of us to continue that," he said.

They bowled in tandem for a time in the first game at the Mount and ''it's something we really enjoy", he added.

''We like to put pressure on the other team, create a feeling they've got to really come at us."

A healthy rivalry is no bad thing. It's likely to continue when New Zealand play five ODIs against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in December, the final countdown to the naming of the World Cup squad.