Kiwis turn to spin

Jeetan Patel is expected to come into the side for the second Test at McLean Park

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New Zealand are set to go into the second Test against West Indies in Napier with two spinners.

While captain Daniel Vettori insisted that the team had not been finalised for the match, which starts tomorrow, he expects Jeetan Patel to be included at the expense of a seamer.

“We played here last season and he bowled really well against England,” said Vettori. “I think this pitch is often misrepresented; it’s not as bouncy as people say.

“All the games that I’ve played here, it has just been a good flat wicket, so we’re hoping that with the sun out baking it it’s going to be a good flat deck.

“Hopefully what I managed to do in Dunedin, the pair of us can do in this game.”

Vettori, who took 6-56 in West Indies’ only innings of the drawn first Test at University Oval, added: “Anyone is vulnerable to quality spin bowling so if Jeetan and myself can bowl well we see that as a really good option for us. If we bowl badly then it's not a good option for us.”

It remains to be seen which seamer will make way for Patel if New Zealand opt to play two slow bowlers, but Vettori confirmed all-rounder James Franklin had overcome a blow to the ribs and would feature at McLean Park along with the in-form Iain O’Brien, leaving Kyle Mills and Mark Gillespie’s places under threat.

Gillespie had a disappointing outing in Dunedin, failing to take a wicket in 21 overs that cost 102 runs.

However, Mills, a late call-up for the injured Jacob Oram, claimed 3-64 and Vettori admitted it was going to be a tough call over selection.

“I thought Kyle Mills bowled really well in the last game,” Vettori said. “Mark Gillespie came in to do a job and he probably wouldn't have been that satisfied with what he did but we still recognise his bit of extra pace and what he can do.

“Our plan for these guys is about being patient and building pressure and that's what Kyle did in the last game on a flat wicket. I was particularly impressed with the way he bowled.

“There's the counter argument to the guy running in and bowling fast, I suppose. It’s a hard one.”

Ross Taylor also looks set to play despite chipping a bone and dislocating the ring finger on his right hand during the first Test.

“He batted very well in the nets today,” Vettori said. “He won’t be fielding at first slip off the seamers but he got through fielding and watching him bat he looked like himself so I’m pretty sure he will be fine.”