Injury scare for Fleming

Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain, is in doubt for the second warm-up match against South Africa A in Potchefstroom beginning on Thursday, after dislocating his thumb during practice. Fleming sustained the injury while attempting a catch and his fitness will be assessed before the toss.

Should Fleming miss out, his place is likely to be taken by opener Lou Vincent. Daniel Vettori, the captain, was hoping for a flatter pitch at Potchefstroom than the one used for the first tour match in Bloemfontein, to give the batsmen a better workout.

Vettori said he was impressed by South Africa's resounding success in Pakistan, which indicated a serious challenge to New Zealand's bid for their first Test series victory on South African soil. South Africa won the two-Test series 1-0 and snatched the one-day series 3-2 after Pakistan choked in the deciding one-dayer in Lahore.

"I'm most impressed with the way they played in the Test series," Vettori told Radio Sport. "Any time you go to Pakistan it's difficult to compete, let alone win, we can only sit back and admire that."