Left-arm fast-medium bowler Shayne O'Connor could yet be available for consideration for the second and third Test matches against Pakistan.

New Zealand selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee said today that O'Connor has a big week in Christchurch this week to test where his bowling is at since recovering from a knee injury.

O'Connor was expected to be fit in time for the Pakistan series but his recovery had been slower than anticipated.

"He is bowling with an 80% loading at the moment and could be playing club cricket soon and possibly be available for the second Test," Hadlee said today.

There is also a chance that if he is not fit in time for the second Test that he will play in a Selection XI that is to be named to play Central Districts in some games yet to be finalised.

The games will be played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval and are aimed at keeping possible Test players in a high level of cricket at a time when the first-class programme has been completed, while also providing CD with some match play before they travel to Perth to play in the Global Provincial One-Day Tournament at the end of March.

© CricInfo