The New Zealanders last night had yet to decide who their stand-in captain would be, although the choice seemed to be between opener Blair Pocock and middle-order batsman Stephen Fleming.

Adam Parore, originally dropped after the second Test and a part-time wicketkeeper, was flown to Christchurch to act as cover.

New Zealand's management said that they would wait until just before the start of play before making any decision on either Ger- mon's fitness or the captaincy.

Having injured himself in fielding practice yesterday, Germon received treatment all afternoon in an effort to clear up the problem.

England had no injury worries following a lengthy practice with captain Mike Atherton hinting strongly that he would announce an unchanged side for the first time in more than 30 Tests.

Antigua in April 1994, for the final Test of the series against West Indies following England's win in Barbados, was the last time Atherton had the same team at his disposal twice running. ``It would be nice to be able to name the same side, because what you are looking for is consistency,'' said Atherton.

``There have been injury and other reasons during the past three years for us not being able to pick the same side twice in succes- sion but also we have not been that consistent.''