Cricket: Vettori's elbow hit gives NZ a scare

Daniel Vettori trains in Dunedin yesterday. He had a bowl later, suggesting his elbow knock is not too serious. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Of all the players to put an injury scare through New Zealand's first test preparations, you would least want it to be the captain.

But that's what happened when Dan Vettori took a blow on his right elbow batting in the nets yesterday two days before the opening test against Pakistan.

Vettori is just over a clunking blow to the right side of his head from Pakistan bowler Mohammad Aamer during the ODI series in Abu Dhabi this month.

He has also been battling through a shoulder niggle, so a further injury issue was right at the top of New Zealand's Do Not Want list as they prepare for the start of the three-test series starting at University Oval tomorrow.

Vettori got out of the nets, had the elbow iced but the encouraging news was he had a bowl later, suggesting it was not too serious.

Both teams went through their paces yesterday afternoon ahead of decision day, when whittling squads down to final XIs takes place.

Bowling first is the likely option for both teams, to take advantage of helpful seam conditions which are likely to prevail through the first two sessions tomorrow.

Pakistan warmed up with a three-day game against an Invitation XI at Queenstown, and batsman Faisal Iqbal reckons that will put his team in good stead. He believes professional players owe it to themselves and their colleagues to adjust smartly to different conditions and forms of international cricket.

"The guys are quite used to it now," Iqbal said of switching into test mode. "It will take a little bit of time, but the three-day game has given enough for everyone to get used to it as bowlers and batsmen."

Javed Miandad has long retired, but the tourists have a link with the great batsman in the form of his nephew, Iqbal.

Iqbal made his test debut at Eden Park in 2001, but his 23 tests produced an average of 26.5, suggesting he's far from a chip off the old uncle's block.

He wore three sweaters yesterday but hopes his teammates warm to their task smartly tomorrow.

"Things have started quite well. The guys are doing really hard work and everyone is focused for the series," Iqbal said.

There was a Pakistani in the New Zealand camp yesterday, celebrated offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq returning to help with preparations. Saqlain was with New Zealand at the world Twenty20 championships in England this year.

His intimate knowledge of Pakistani batting ways should help New Zealand's bowling plans and give the batsmen an insight into what to expect.

"It's useful having him in our camp and we'll definitely try to use all his knowledge," batsman Daniel Flynn said yesterday. Flynn will play his 14th successive test since his debut in England last year.

He's averaging a respectable 33 and four half-centuries, but knows he needs to cement his spot at No 3.

"My game is good enough to score runs at test level. I've just got to have faith in it and go out and produce it. I've enjoyed the opportunities ... It's a position I want to make my own."

He knows his role is an unglamorous one, knuckling down, working through the new ball and laying a platform for the strokeplayers to follow.

"You set the tone, and it's a challenge I'm looking forward to."