Fleming praises Parore's contribution

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has spoken in glowing terms of wicketkeeper Adam Parore, who said on Thursday he wanted a break from cricket owing to exhaustion.

"There is probably not a finer pro than Adam Parore out there," Fleming said. "He's a fantastic gloveman, among the world's best and a great team-man."

Parore, who was dropped from the New Zealand one-day team now playing England, told his Auckland association he would not be available for the provincial side to play in the continuing four-day domestic competition.

To that end, Parore is unlikely to be in line to be persuaded into the national team for the three Tests against England starting in Christchurch on March 13, even though he has said he would be keen to play.

"I'm available for the upcoming Test series -- nothing's changed there," he said. "I'm keen to play against England."

The chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee, said there was little likelihood of he and fellow selectors Ross Dykes and Brian McKechnie picking a wicketkeeper who had not played for a month.

"If he changed his mind and decided to play for Auckland, that may be a different story," said Hadlee, who has always had dim view of players opting out of playing for their province.

Chris Nevin took Parore's place in the one-day team, but it is acknowledged Parore is the better 'keeper.

It was as a dashing opening batsman that secured Nevan the job, as it would have for the aborted tour of Pakistan last September when Parore was to stay behind while the one-day series was played and only join the team for the Tests.

If Nevin and Parore failed to pass muster for the Tests, the selectors would probably look toward Martyn Croy (Otago) who was regarded as the next best to Parore before injury hampered his chances, or Canterbury's Gareth Hopkins, a New Zealand A representative in the past.

Mail Cricket Editor