Kiwis in a quandary over pacer Southee

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum will give injured pacer Tim Southee until the eleventh hour to prove his fitness for the second Test against Australia, leaving the exact make-up of the tourists' five-man bowling attack unknown.

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson indicated earlier this week that the absence of all-rounder Jimmy Neesham would lead to a shift in the balance of the side, and McCullum all but confirmed that Mark Craig would be elevated to the No.7 role to allow four quicks to be included for the must-win Test at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) ground. 

Australia have already taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

The fitness of Southee, who irritated a disc and was unable to bowl during the second innings of the first Test in Brisbane, is the burning issue for New Zealand, and McCullum said the experience of his pace spearhead meant he would trust him to determine his own fitness.