New Zealand Choose to Field as Pakistan Make Changes

Wellington: A wet outfield delayed the start of the 50th Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve the first New Zealand venue to reach the mark until after lunch. Showers have been forecast for the first three days of the Test and it is unlikely that this will be the first interruption.

The captains and umpires were concerned about wet patches in the outfield, including the run-ups for bowlers and at least one start time had to be pushed back because of that.

Daniel Vettori eventually won the toss, and given the conditions and Pakistan's own ineptitude with the bat, chose to bowl.

The teams came together in Dunedin to produce the Test of the year and though cricket hopes for another humdinger, both sides will take any kind of win. If New Zealand do so, it will seal their first Test series triumph over Pakistan in a quarter of a century.

Teams

Pakistan: Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf (capt), Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif.

New Zealand: Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Grant Elliott, Brendon McCullum (wk), Daniel Vettori (capt), Daryl Tuffey, Ian O'Brien, Chris Martin.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Rain Forces Draw in Napier Test and Series [+]

Rain had the final word in the third and final Test between New Zealand and Pakistan here on Tuesday as the two sides finished the three-match series at 1-1.

Pakistan 99 Lead But NZ Hold Slight Edge [+]

Pakistan, helped by fifties from the top four, had surged to a lead of 99 runs.

Openers Keep Pak Steady in Pursuit of Deficit [+]

Unbeaten half-centuries from openers Salman Butt and Imran Farhat guided Pakistan close to New Zealand's massive first-innings lead as the visitors ended the third day on 128 without loss in the third and final Test at McLean Park on Sunday.

Vettori Century Guides NZ Take Lead 123 runs [+]

Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum added 176 runs for the sixth wicket New Zealand 346-6 at stumps day 2 and take lead by 123-runs.

New Zealand Stay on Top Despite Farhat Ton [+]

Imran Farhat's (117*) unbeaten fighting ton helped Pakistan to manage 223 in their first innings on Day 1 of the third and final Test against New Zealand.

Pak vs NZ 3rd Test - Teams Aim Improve Batting in Decider [+]

Daniel Vettori's responsibilities have increased after it was agreed he would bat at No.6 in tomorrow's decider against Pakistan in Napier.

Shoaib Malik Dropped From Napier Test [+]

Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf confirmed that Shoaib Malik will not play in the third and final Test against New Zealand due to inconsistent form.

Watling Replace Fulton for Final Pakistan Test [+]

The in-form BJ Watling is in line for his Test debut after replacing Peter Fulton for the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan in Napier from Friday.

Five-star Asif Helps Pakistan Level Series [+]

A comprehensive 141-run win for Pakistan, who have leveled this series.

Iain O'Brien to Retire After Pak Series [+]

Iain O'Brien will retire from international cricket at the end of the Test series against Pakistan to move to the UK to be with his wife and play for Middlesex.