Cricket: 'World class' Vettori is fitness doubt

Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming conceded last night there was some doubt over Daniel Vettori's fitness going into this week's first test at Christchurch.

"There's still some concern there but he's doing the right things and hopefully he can play a part in the test - we need him to."

He'll be desperate to be there.

It is clear the Australians see Vettori as the only threat to their batting supremacy.

Captain Ricky Ponting described him last night as world class and said his side had made a pact to keep him out and attack from the other end.

About the only other New Zealander with a semblance of form going into the tests is Craig McMillan, who compiled a diligent 63 of 69 balls yesterday. However, it was an innings not without controversy.

On 34, he appeared to chip a catch to Andrew Symonds that may or may not have carried. Umpire David Shepherd injudiciously decided so and gave him out.

In a tactic last successfully employed by WG Grace, McMillan refused to leave the crease - though it couldn't be confirmed that the words he used were "they've come to see me bat, not you bowl, old chap". On the intervention of Ponting, Australia didn't press further charges.

"I don't know everything that was going on," Ponting said, "but Andrew thought he'd caught it and said that to Shep and Shep said that's out.

"The batsman stood his ground, I came in and asked Andrew if he was 100 per cent sure. He then felt he wasn't so we decided just to get on with the game."

The Herald on Sunday caught up with umpire Shepherd after the game. He said: "There was doubt, I think. I don't think he [Symonds] was sure himself."

Symonds got some measure of revenge when he had McMillan caught in the deep slogging.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY