A decision on whether vital left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori will be included in New Zealand's side for today's National Bank series decider with Pakistan in Dunedin will not be made until just before the game starts at 2pm.

Vettori did not bowl during New Zealand's practice at Carisbrook yesterday morning due to continuing stiffness in his back.

Recovering from a stress fracture to his back suffered last summer and re-diagnosed after his enforced return from Zimbabwe, Vettori has been suffering stiffness in his back after each of the one-day games since his return at the start of the Sri Lankan series.

However, after New Zealand's stunning 138-run win at Jade Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday, he has not recovered as quickly.

He will go to the ground today and be put through the usual warming up exercises to see how he comes through that before a decision is made on whether he will play.

No player has been put on stand by at this stage according to New Zealand Cricket's media liaison manager on tour John Knowles.

© CricInfo