Third Test would boost series - Vettori

Daniel Vettori celebrates the wicket of opposite number Chris Gayle in the second one-day game

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New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori is hoping India's request for an extra Test match when they tour in March and April will be granted.

India are scheduled to arrive in New Zealand on March 1 for a Twenty20 international, a five-match one-day series and two Tests.

But following the cancellation of their tour of Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India have asked New Zealand Cricket if they can add a third Test match to the tour itinerary.

Black Caps coach Andy Moles would welcome the opportunity for more Test cricket for his players and his skipper is also enthusiastic about the possibility of playing a third Test.

“I'm pretty excited,” said Vettori. “Most players would be crying out for that third Test match-style series because it gives an opportunity for one team to win the series and it probably makes it a little bit more interesting.

“The fact that it's India and they are one of the best teams in the world at the moment, everyone would love to make it happen.

“I don't know whether logistically it can happen but I'm sure the players would like it too.”

NZC are currently working through the logistics of adding another five-day match to an already packed summer for the Black Caps and they face a tricky juggling act with bookings at venues already in place.

It appears any extra Test would be played at the start of the tour rather than being tagged on after the Tests in Hamilton and Wellington but that coincides with the England Lions tour which takes place between February 15 and March 20.

Another factor NZC must take into consideration is that the Super 14 rugby season will also be in full swing by then meaning several venues such as Eden Park (Auckland), AMI Stadium (Christchurch) and Westpac Stadium (Wellington) are likely to be unavailable, leaving Napier's McLean Park as the most likely venue.

Injury-troubled Jacob Oram's pyrotechnical abilities are highly coveted by his skipper

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While Vettori was hopeful of a positive outcome, a more pressing focus for the captain is getting his team's one-day series against the West Indies back on track after their loss on Saturday in Christchurch put them 1-0 down.

He has pinpointed two areas of improvement for Wednesday's game at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

Firstly, Vettori wants more runs on the board from his batsmen and secondly, better execution in pressure situations.

“We were a little bit short with the bat but we also put ourselves in with a chance of winning,” said the skipper.

“We've done that on a number of occasions where we've fought really hard but we just haven't quite been able to finish it off.

“That's probably due to a bit of poor execution in those pressure situations.

“If we can rectify those two things then hopefully that goes a long way towards winning games, he said.

“The belief in the one-day team is there. We know tomorrow is a must-win game and we've always played pretty well in Wellington and we want to continue that on.”

Vettori is confident all-rounder Jacob Oram will be fit to play after suffering an Achilles problem during the rain-shortened second game at AMI Stadium.

Oram had a lengthy bat in the nets on Monday then had a scan which showed some inflammation but he trained with the team on Tuesday.

A decision will be made on Wednesday morning and he could yet play as a batsman only, although Vettori hoped he would both bat and bowl.

“We know how important he is to both sides of the game. (But) for me personally I'll take him in the side any way I can get him.”