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New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Parore was cleared to play in the second test against South Africa, despite taking a hairline fracture of a finger into the match.

Parore became the latest Black Caps' injury casualty the day before the match, sustaining a knock on his left hand during net practice.

However, he satisfied national coach Steve Rixon with his fitness during warm-ups on the match morning, although the little finger on his left hand has a break in it.

Rixon, a former Australian and New South Wales wicketkeeper, said 'keepers regularly took knocks to their hands and it was not uncommon for them to play in matches with damaged digits.

``I didn't believe the injury would impair his performance,'' Rixon said.

Parore did not appear greatly inconvenienced by the break when the New Zealand team fielded, although he had the last two fingers on his left glove taped.

New Zealand Cricket has strict guidelines for players being 100 per cent fit entering international matches, but the selectors were satisfied with Parore's ability to cope.

On the first day Parore grafted 111 minutes for 14 with the bat.

Parore did not warm up with the Black Caps team for its day in the field yesterday, prompting speculation about his absence.

``That he didn't figure in the warm-up was purely a precautionary measure,''said Rixon.

Rixon said there was no reason to expect that Parore would not be fit for the third test, starting in Wellington on Thursday.

Having to pull Parore out at the last minute from the Jade Stadium test would have heaped further woes on a team whose resources are already stretched, with the Canterbury contingent of Stephen Fleming, Chris Cairns, and Craig McMillan all sidelined.

National selection panel convener Ross Dykes, himself also a former first-class gloveman, said if a replacement was later deemed necessary the top priority would be wicketkeeping skills.