New Zealand have turned to their experienced allrounder Chris Harris to bolster an injury-hit side after Saturday's 98-run loss to England in the first Test. Harris, who played the last of his 19 Tests on the 1999 tour of India, was chosen in a 13-man squad as cover for Daniel Vettori, who has been plagued with back problems.

The selectors have also called up paceman Daryl Tuffey as a replacement for Chris Cairns, who is out for the series with a torn patella tendon in his right knee.

New Zealand's chairman of selectors Richard Hadlee has assessed the fitness of Vettori and Chris Martin, who also has a bad back but has bowled in the nets.

Vettori's injury has not yet been diagnosed as a bone or muscle problem, and Hadlee rated his chances of playing as "not great", leaving Harris as the only slow bowler in the squad.

"His record in Test cricket needs to be improved on, but he's the form batsman in domestic cricket," said Hadlee. "He'll energise the side, and as he reminds us, his last three Test innings have averaged over 40."

Harris, 32, averages 19.4 with the bat and 67 with the ball in Test cricket, figures that suggest his best form in the five-day game is behind him.

But his domestic form has been strong this season, averaging 114.8 from eight innings. He also scored 82 for Canterbury in a warm-up game against England.

"It was a great feeling to get the call. I hadn't given myself a chance of playing Test cricket again, at least in this series," said Harris.

Lou Vincent, No. 3 at Christchurch, again held off the challenge from Mathew Sinclair, despite scoring 0, 23, 12 and 0 in his last four Test innings. He looks to be nearing his last chance.

Ian Butler was retained for his strike-power and Hadlee raised the possibility of New Zealand taking four pace bowlers into what he expects to be a grassy Basin Reserve pitch.

The biggest concern for New Zealand is their ability to take 20 wickets without the services of Cairns, Vettori and other injured bowlers Shane Bond, Dion Nash and Shayne O'Connor. Their captain, Stephen Fleming acknowledged the team faced an uphill task.

"It's going to be difficult," he said. "A lot has happened in these four days, we're going to have a completely different make-up of our side through the injuries.

"The confidence has taken a dent from this game. We haven't under-estimated anybody, they just played very well at crucial times. It's still going to be a wonderful Test series, it's a shame we've lost one of our match-winners but we'll rally around."

New Zealand (squad)

Stephen Fleming (capt), Matt Horne, Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore (wk), Daniel Vettori, Chris Harris, Chris Drum, Ian Butler, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd