WELLINGTON, March 19: England batsman Mark Butcher remains in the frame to play in the second Test against New Zealand despite a cracked thumb.

Butcher, who was injured while catching Lou Vincent in New Zealand’s second innings in the Christchurch Test, batted in the nets Tuesday.

Captain Nasser Hussain, speaking to journalists at Wellington’s Basin Reserve as he looked forward to Thursday’s start, said: “He’s doubtful but we’ll give him as much time as possible.”

England have called up young Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell as cover. The right-hand batsman, who was in New Zealand with the England under-19 team three years ago, averaged over 60 for Warwickshire in the county championship last season.

Hussain, plagued with finger injuries during his career, said his own hand injury was better after he hurt it trying to catch Stephen Fleming on the last day of England’s win in Christchurch.

“I didn’t feel it at all batting today,” he said. “I did some slip fielding and was a bit concerned if I had to take a half-volley, but it was more psychological really.”

With Wellington’s notorious winds howling around the Basin Reserve, Hussain said he would have to find an ‘into the wind bowler’, which could see all-rounder Craig White brought in. He was not selected for the first game of the three-Test series.

One of the umpires set down for the second Test, Zimbabwe’s Russell Tiffin, has been named on the ICC’s elite panel and is in Cape Town for the ICC/umpires think-tank this week. He has been replaced by Australian official Darrell Hair, who will stand with New Zealand’s Steve Dunne.—Reuters