Vettori slips into all-rounder mode

Daniel Vettori is likely to bat higher up the order against Australia in the Test series

Convener of selectors Glenn Turner believes New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori will relish the chance of filling the all-rounder role in the absence of Jacob Oram.

Oram has been ruled out of the two-Test series against Australia later this month with an ongoing back problem that forced him home early from the recent tour of Bangladesh.

Vettori has hinted at the likelihood of moving up to Oram’s number seven batting position in the Black Caps XI and Turner is confident the 29-year-old left-arm spinner will take the added responsibility in his stride.

"Dan is pretty experienced now so I would imagine it wouldn’t worry him at all. It gives him a greater opportunity.

"The higher you bat in the order, if you go well, the greater opportunity you have of more success. He’s probably relishing the chance I think,” Turner said.

Turner also revealed the selectors had considered using Oram as purely a batsman for the Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.

“(But) we felt that wouldn’t help his progress in getting back to fitness where obviously he wants to play as an all-rounder,” he added.

While an MRI scan has cleared Oram of serious injury he has not been able to resume full gym work yet but it is hoped the seamer will start bowling again in about 10 days and be fit in time for the West Indies tour of New Zealand next month.

Oram has made no secret of the fact that his days as an all-rounder could be numbered but Turner was confident the 30-year-old could bounce back from this latest setback.

Jacob Oram was considered as a specialist batsman for the Test series © Getty Images

“He’s felt that for sometime and he’s managed to get through. It’s not the first time that’s been said,” Turner said. “I think it’s a bit premature to think that that’s likely. We’ll just see where things get to.”

There was more positive news regarding fast bowler Chris Martin who missed the Bangladesh series with a hamstring strain.

He was put through his paces by Dayle Hadlee at the academy in Lincoln last week and had a least one six-over spell in a provincial warm-up match in Whangarei today.

Michael Mason however, will miss the trip to Australia to have a hernia operation which will keep him out of action for three weeks.

The New Zealand squad is due to be named on Thursday and it likely that the selectors will opt for a 13-man squad rather than the usual 15, with certain players crossing the Tasman as and when they are required.

For example Tim Southee could be used in Brisbane where the wicket is more bouncy then be sent back to New Zealand and spinner Jeetan Patel brought in for the following test in Adelaide where the pitch turns.

“It’s trying to make sure that players get some cricket and since we’ve got the start of our championship over here we’d sooner have as many players as possible playing cricket rather than sitting on the sidelines,” Turner explained.

“Australia is only three hours away it’s almost like playing at home where you can bring people in and out relatively easily.”