Vettori at ease shouldering burden 

Source: PhotosportBlack Caps skipper/coach Daniel Vettori

Daniel Vettori has resorted to throwing underarm and needs back-up when chasing in the field as a chronic shoulder injury plagues his performance in the Test cricket series with Pakistan.

But in another respect New Zealand's captain denies he is feeling the strain - he is comfortable leading the team without a head coach by his side.

New Zealand are nearing the end of their first Test series since Andy Moles was deposed before last month's one-day and Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates - the third and potentially decisive test starts at McLean Park on Friday.

A replacement for Moles could be some way off, though New Zealand Cricket has said it hopes to make an announcement before the end of the year.

In the interim, Vettori has had Moles' assistant Mark O'Donnell and Australian bowling coach Shane Jurgensen on staff, while New Zealand Cricket high performance manager John Wright and selector Mark Greatbatch have been assisting the batsmen.

Former Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq was also summoned before the Dunedin and Wellington tests to give an insight into combating his home land's spin attack of Saeed Ajmal and Danish Kaneria.

With the captaincy, bowling and batting responsibilities plus his role as a selector and surrogate coach, Vettori could be forgiven for feeling over-burdened.

But the 30-year-old felt quite the opposite as New Zealand completed preparations to bounce back from last weekend's 141-run loss in Wellington by hopefully claiming their first test series win against a team other than Bangladesh for nearly four years.

"It's actually got easier as it's gone on," he said.

"I've enjoyed it and felt like people have actually stepped up and taken over their roles with the fact there's been no coach.

"It's made everyone understand their own roles and get on and do them. I hope when the coach comes in that still happens."

Former internationals Wright and Greatbatch had been particularly useful, not that their input has been evident on the batting scorecard.

"John Wright and Mark Greatbatch have come in and really helped the guys with their personal experiences and ways of dealing with things," Vettori said.

"I know the guys enjoyed it. If we can utilise that sort of coach on a permanent basis, I think that would be outstanding for the team."

Dynamics change

Meanwhile, there is set to be a change in team dynamics for the Black Caps ahead of Friday's final Test.

Vettori has confirmed he will move up the batting order to six, allowing for five specialist bowlers, meaning Grant Elliott will miss out.

The final spot in the lineup will be filled by either seam bowler Tim Southee or off-spinner Jeetan Patel.

Vettori told reporters he is looking forward to a shift up the order.

He said he is excited but also nervous and he needs to make sure he takes a similar mindset to that of his previous batting displays.

Vettori said the pitch is unusually green looking and they are having to rethink playing off spinner Jeetan Patel.