Lees suggested yesterday that Otago's Martyn Croy was the best keeper in the recent Conference series -- but did not go so far as to suggest Parore should be dropped.

``Robbie Hart (of Northern Districts) and Martyn Croy must be putting enough pressure on him (Parore) now to let him believe that his position is not secure,'' said Lees.

But Lees said the second test victory against India, and a continuation of consistent form by the team as a whole, would help Parore.

``I actually think this latest series has given Steve Rixon (New Zealand coach) enough confidence to stick with what he's got. We have had enough chopping and changing in the last couple of years.

``If they have got a happy team and a whole lot of guys who are going to work hard, I wouldn't change it for the world.''

Parore has had a dismal time. His 21 in the first innings of the third test was his highest first-class score this summer after previous innings of 1, 1, 16, 5, 6, 2, and 1.

Yesterday, behind the stumps, he dropped a relatively difficult catch.

Rixon said Parore had lost his batting confidence.

``... when you are playing on a wicket like this (Hamilton), when you are a bit out of touch you can get found out,'' Rixon said, before making one of the more interesting comments of the summer. ``He is not out of form, he is just not in touch at the moment.''