New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has leapt to the defence of Mark Craig, saying the out-of-form spinner remains a crucial member of the side and is unlikely to face the selection axe just yet.
Craig has barely fired a shot during NZ's tour of Australia, returning figures of 7-709 across all games.
The 28-year-old faces a nervous wait on the selection front heading into the inaugural day-night Test at Adelaide Oval, starting on November 27.
But Hesson gave a strong indication that Craig will be kept on.
"Mark has been a really influential member for us for the past year and a half, and Australia is a tough place to bowl spin," Hesson said.
"There's no doubt Mark has been put under pressure. But what we've seen from him time and time again is that he has actually fought back for us.
"We'll look at the surface in Adelaide and we'll see how much grass is on it and look at the balance of the side.
"But he's certainly an integral member of our side, batting at No.8 and scoring valuable runs and grabbing a few catches at second slip. He's highly likely to play in Adelaide."
Australia's batsman haven't been the only ones who have dished out plenty of punishment to Craig.
"There was a bloke on the grass over there who was giving him plenty of feedback as well," Hesson said after the drawn second Test at the WACA Ground.
"He takes it pretty well to be honest. He's a pretty laid back sort of a character."
Left-arm spinner Mitch Santner will get the chance to push his case for a Test debut when he lines up in the day-night tour match against a WA XI side, starting Saturday.
Hesson said he will consider playing both Craig and 23-year-old Santner in the deciding Test in Adelaide if he thinks the pitch will be conducive to spin.
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