New Zealand allrounder Grant Elliott fears he will be out of cricket for nearly two months to nurse his injured thumb. Elliott, who suffered the injury during the ICC Champions Trophy match against England, has said he is doubtful for the ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE next month but is hopeful of making it in time for the domestic season later in November.

"The doc in South Africa seemed to think it might be six to eight weeks but I won't know for sure till (later today)," Elliott told the Dominion Post. "I think I'm out of (the Pakistan series) and I might be back for the domestic stuff.

"Obviously Australia and Bangladesh are coming over for some one-dayers so I'll be targeting that, and if I can get as many four-day innings' under my belt as possible, to play in all forms would be great."

Elliott played through pain in the Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan, scoring a patient unbeaten 75 under pressure to steer New Zealand home. In the previous game against England he picked up the Man-of-the-Match award with figures of 4 for 31 to restrict England to a modest 146. The South African-born allrounder said he was very satisfied with his performances in the tournament.

"In a five-match series I always try and aim to win at least two games, with the ball or the bat," Elliott said. "I was a bit disappointed with some of my scores. I was getting 30s and 40s quite often but wasn't going on, so that Pakistan innings was quite big for me to go on and finish the job. That's my role, to get the not-out and win the game."

New Zealand are due to play three ODIs against Pakistan in UAE from November 3 to 9. New Zealand's domestic season starts on November 10 and Wellington, Elliott's domestic team, will play their opening fixture on the same day.