Napier: Daniel Vettori's responsibilities have increased after it was agreed he would bat at No.6 in tomorrow's decider against Pakistan in Napier. The decision was made to accommodate an extra bowler on what Vettori has described as a pitch "quite different" from the ones used on previous occasions at the venue.

Ian O'Brien has been charging in all series, into the wind, with a dislocated finger. Now comes his last Test and he goes into it as the joint-highest wicket-taker, just off his highest Test score.

24-year-old BJ Walting, who is the latest Kiwi inclusion at the opener's slot, is unfazed at being part of the numerous opening combination tried out by the Kiwis since 2000.

Watling's recent knock was a 136 against Auckland last week. Although the bowling attack was below test standards, the experience gave Walting enough confidence ahead of the Test against Pakistan.

Pakistan pacer Umar Gul sounded confident about getting the Kiwis out early. "Only Ross Taylor is in good form, the rest of them are struggling. We'll trap them again and hopefully get them out early," he said.

Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul have been a serious threat to New Zealand through the series, but they might also be a danger to each other.

During the second Test the pair reportedly got into a heated verbal scuffle on the third day, and both were fined heavily as the team management tried to hush up the altercation. Keep an eye out for when they are next bowling in tandem, or batting together.

Meanwhile, Iain O'Brien, who would be retiring from Test cricket at the end of this series, is in doubt to take part in this Test after aggravating a finger injury.

Form Guide (most recent last)
Pakistan: LLDLW
New Zealand: DLLWL

Team news

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori has said he'll be batting at No.6 to accommodate an extra bowler. He added it was a toss-up between four seamers, and three seamers and two spinners. BJ Watling, replacing Peter Fulton, is likely to make his Test debut. Ian O'Brien will play last Test for his country.

Squad (likely): Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Daniel Flynn, Daniel Vettori (capt), Brendon McCullum (wk), Tim Southee, Daryl Tuffey, Ian O'Brien, Chris Martin.

Pakistan: Ther are also likely to make one change; both captain and coach have said that Shoaib Malik, who has endured his worst Test series for a while, is unlikely to play. Faisal Iqbal thus has a chance to shift up from a perennial backbencher spot, may be at No.3.

Squad (likely): Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Faisal Iqbal, Mohammad Yousuf (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif.

Pitch and conditions
McLean Park usually likes batsmen and only twice this decade has any side been bowled out for less than 250. But with the pitch preparations complete, a healthy amount of grass has been left on the surface and there is enough moisture around to keep fast bowlers happy. The sun might also shine through and if it remains warm and dry, then reverse swing might make a welcome appearance.

Stats and trivia

• Pakistan have come from behind to win a three-Test series only once before, against Zimbabwe in 1994-95.
• Danish Kaneria has become the highest wicket-taking spinner for Pakistan with 238 wickets, heading the illustrious trio of Abdul Qadir (236), Saqlain Mushtaq (208) and Mushtaq Ahmed (185). Kaneria is now fourth on Pakistan's list of highest Test wicket-takers.
• New Zealand haven't yet won a Test in Napier, but it's been their best batting venue at home. Since 2000, they've scored six centuries in five Tests, which includes one match when they didn't get to bat at all.

Match facts
Friday December 11 to Tuesday December 15, 2009
Start time: 12:00 local time (23:00 GMT)