Vettori to move up the batting order to fill absence of Oram

Wellington, Oct 17 (ANI): New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori will move up the batting order if required to fill the absence of the now retired all rounder Jacob Oram in the test cricket team against Pakistan next month.

Oram's retirement from the test cricket this week leaves a gap, but it should enable Vettori to move up to No.7 at least in the lineup, after his batting performance in recent matches.

Vettori has been the most consistent of the Black Caps batsmen despite coming in at No.8 and he again dominated in New Zealand's last test series against Sri Lanka, top scoring in the second innings of both matches with 67 and 140.

Vettori said he was comfortable taking the extra responsibility of batting higher in the order, although he already has plenty as the skipper and chief spin bowler, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Vettori said Pakistan's tour opening match against New Zealand A from November 17-20 could be a crucial one for finalizing positions as just one round of the domestic championship will have been played by then.

None of the New Zealand one-day team will play in that because they will still be playing Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. (ANI)