Daniel Vettori

By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Auckland, Nov 15 NZPA - Daniel Vettori's concussion is clearing but he still has headaches to contend with ahead of New Zealand's test cricket series against Pakistan.

The captain, selector, allrounder and surrogate coach arrived home with his squad from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today.

Although he has been prescribed rest in the wake of a blow to the helmet in the second one-dayer against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, Vettori has plenty to ponder before the first of three tests starting in Dunedin on November 24.

He also has a left shoulder strain which is to be assessed by a surgeon tomorrow, although that long-term niggle will not prevent him leading the team on to University Oval in Dunedin.

Concentrating his mind is the composition of his under-performing batting line-up.

With Jesse Ryder unavailable through injury and expectant father Jacob Oram now retired from the test format, two middle order vacancies need filling.

James Franklin shapes as the logical replacement for Oram -- a role he performed without distinction last summer -- providing his back complaint does not flare up.

Replacing Ryder may be more problematic.

If runs on the board are a prerequisite then Mathew Sinclair might prepare for yet another revival of his intermittent test career.

Sinclair scored 165 in the opening round of the Plunket Shield against Auckland last week and was a stop gap option for Ryder for the final one-dayer against the West Indies last summer after Ryder was dropped for a discipline breach.

Another avenue for Vettori and fellow selectors Glenn Turner and Mark Greatbatch to explore is shifting Martin Guptill down a slot and bringing in a new opener to partner incumbent Tim McIntosh.

Otago captain Craig Cumming, who toured Sri Lanka during the winter without playing either test, has been in a similar boat to Sinclair -- tried and discarded before being able to establish himself.

Cumming also enjoyed a successful start to the domestic four-day competition on his home ground, scoring 42 and 126 in a side well beaten by Northern Districts.

Vettori would not speculate on who might be enlisted to replace Ryder, although he dismissed any prospect of Scott Styris reneging on his retirement from tests.

Greatbatch, who accompanied the squad to Abu Dhabi and Dubai after head coach Andy Moles resigned days before departure, was also coy on the squad's composition before it is released on Thursday or Friday.

The selection panel will assess second round matches of the Plunket Shield starting on Tuesday while some members of an Invitation side to play a three-day game against Pakistan in Queenstown starting on Wednesday also have an opportunity to stake a claim.

Cumming will open in Queenstown while Daryl Tuffey, Tim Southee and possibly Brent Arnel are auditioning for a role in the pace attack.

Kyle Mills will not be considered after struggling with shoulder and knee issues.

Fast bowler Shane Bond is a certainty to add to his 17 test caps, providing he negotiates Canterbury's match against Otago in Rangiora -- his first four-day game since playing for Durham against Hampshire in English county cricket in June, 2008.

"He wants to give himself every chance. If he gets through that game all right and he's feeling good then I think he'll be eligible," Vettori said.

Pakistan arrive tomorrow with Mohammed Yousuf as captain after Younis Khan was "rested" amid allegations of a fallout with teammates.

Internal wrangling is nothing knew to a Pakistani side, so Vettori was taking no solace from the latest ructions.

"There's a little bit going on at the moment with Younis but they're a very good side and they've got a bowling attack suited to conditions out here."

New Zealand won the one-day series 2-1 before Pakistan redressed the balance by winning the Twenty20s 2-0 in the UAE.

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