KEY POINTS:
If you thought Grant Elliot was a bolter for the test squad, try picturing Auckland's Rob Nicol donning a black cap in England. It could happen.
In a move that could be seen as paving the way for Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram to join the team late, the Herald on Sunday has learned that prospects are being sounded out as to whether they will be in the Northern Hemisphere this winter and available to cover squad shortfalls for early matches.
Nicol, a New Zealand A player who has interested selectors without ever putting together a compelling case for the top side, has been mentioned as a possible substitute.
In a debate that will anger purists but also highlight the 'commercial unrealities' of the modern game, New Zealand cricket are still undecided on the idea of allowing their Indian Premier League representatives - captain Vettori, vice-captain McCullum and senior player Oram - some latitude as to when they join the England tour.
By skipping the first couple of warm-up matches, the trio would be able to play two more IPL matches. As their IPL contracts are on a pro-rata basis, they will earn considerably more by joining the tour late.
The tour starts officially on April 27, when New Zealand meet the McC in a one-day knock around at Arundel, but preparation proper begins the next day, with a three-day match against Kent. There are two further first-class matches, against Essex and England A, before the first test begins at Lord's on May 15.
The IPL starts on April 18, when McCullum's Bangalore meet Kolkata, and progresses through to the final on June 1. If the trio were to bypass the pre-tour camp in Christchurch and join the rest of the squad in England the day before the first match, they would be available for two games each. Should they be allowed to join the squad just before the final warm-up against England A at Southampton, they would have been available for up to seven matches - a lot of American dollars.
"I want a good period where we can have some team discussion on this but obviously in the end I'll have to make a call on this," Vaughan said.
As to whether players like Nicol had been put on notice, Vaughan said: "I guess it's always important to know who's over there."
