AUCKLAND, Feb 22: New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has spoken in glowing terms of wicket-keeper Adam Parore, who said 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 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 wicket-keeper who had not played for a month.

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.—Reuters