McCullum plays down Vettori risk

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is confident recalled left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori can handle the rigours of Test cricket, though Vettori hasn't played a five-day game in over two years. Vettori is set to be part of a rare three-man spin attack for New Zealand in the final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah.

"We think using three spinners, and Dan being the third one, the workload won't be overly excessive for him," McCullum said. "Obviously with a view to the World Cup, we don't want to break him in a one-off Test match situation but we think we can certainly manage him through that."

While the news of the shock recall for Vettori became public only a day ago, McCullum said the team management had been in touch with Vettori earlier during the tour, which has expectedly featured surfaces conducive to spin bowling. He also explained the rationale behind picking Vettori, despite the spinner's patchy fitness record in recent years.

"We looked at the balance of our team and worked out that a spinning allrounder will also be quite handy in that No. 6 position," McCullum said. "You start to think of the guys who would be suited to that and really, there was one guy who stood out and knowing that he was coming over for the one-day series, knowing he was going to be here in these conditions and seeing how fit and strong he is, which is another important point for us. His fitness is at a level at which he's comfortable, he thinks he can operate in this Test match."

Vettori has struggled with a series of injuries over the past few years and had recently spoken about focusing on limited-overs cricket as he was unsure his body could handle the strain of Test cricket. McCullum though didn't think picking Vettori was too much of a gamble.

"Some people probably look at it and say it's a big risk but from the discussions that Dan and I have had and Mike and some of the other guys who were obviously involved in the decision is that we look at what could go right versus what could go wrong and Dan's an optimist as well and he's excited about the opportunity."

The call-up also makes Vettori New Zealand's most capped Test player. "We are really excited about it, it's obviously a huge moment for Dan but also for New Zealand cricket. He is currently the most capped player with Stephen Fleming. To own that outright is a tremendous achievement and one that we are all proud of."