Selection of the two players to join the New Zealand team for the one-day series with Pakistan will be delayed, possibly until the middle of next week.

New Zealand selector and manager of the NZ A team in India for the Buchi Babu tournament Ross Dykes has had to return home following the death of his brother. Dykes will rejoin the A team in India early next week and only after that will the selectors be able to make the announcement.

That extra time could prove handy for potential wicket-keeper Chris Nevin who has still to produce an innings of substance in India.

Selection committee chairman Sir Richard Hadlee told CricInfo today the impressive performances of players in India was only making the choice of the two players harder, but he welcomed that.

"It's definitely not a problem to us. That's what we want. We are going to have to make some tough decisions.

"In the meantime our player base is being extended," he said.

The players in India were on an edge knowing there was a chance of higher selection.

"They have a tremendous incentive to perform well and their play is lifting as a result."

The tour to India had been most worthwhile as the side was playing some "pretty good opposition and they were being tested in a different environment," Hadlee said.

The batting in the top order with captain Matthew Bell, Matt Horne and Mark Richardson all having significant innings was of benefit before the Pakistan Test selection while the emergence of Shane Bond as a pace bowling option and the continued development of Lou Vincent were other significant factors on the tour.

"Shane's selection turned out to be a good decision. He has added more firepower and grunt to the attack and his effort when taking seven wickets in the semi-final was a magnificent performance.

"He has given us another pace bowling option. He is arguably the fastest bowler around in New Zealand and while injury, and establishing a career in the police force, has inhibited his cricket in the past, he is now clearly focused and has a desire to play for New Zealand.

"He has a good work ethic and has worked hard. He's been given an opportunity and boy, has he cashed in on it," he said.

Bond adds to his appeal with his ability with the bat which is another factor for the selectors to consider when looking at their one-day options.

"He's featured in two crucial partnerships in the tournament so far," Hadlee said.

Vincent's play was also encouraging.

"He is an enormous talent and is starting to mature. There is still a wee way to go for him but he is very keen and lifts the side in the field. He has a lot of the qualities that we are seeking to promote in our players," Hadlee said.

Wary of the way that debilitating injuries cut into expectations of New Zealand's performances last summer, Hadlee is not thinking any further ahead than the Pakistan tour.

Some of the selection committee's policies were starting to come to fruition but it was a case of wanting to get through the Pakistan series before thinking about the Australian series, and what it might mean for New Zealand with England deciding not to select Darren Gough and Alec Stewart for their Test side next year in New Zealand.

His attitude was positive towards the new season and he was looking forward to New Zealand getting some results this year.

The side was a competitive unit, capable of competing with most sides in the world, and beating most of them, but with increasing playing depth there was the chance that New Zealand was now in a position to get more results on the board, Hadlee said.

© CricInfo