Mixed fortunes for Black Caps duo

There are contrasting fortunes for Ross Taylor's left eye and Trent Boult's right knee ahead of the second Test against Pakistan.

Strike bowler Boult – who would have been potent in what are predicted to be swing-friendly conditions at Hamilton's Seddon Park – has been replaced in the squad by Doug Bracewell because of an irritated joint.

However, Thursday's pre-match focus – where the hosts can seal their first series victory over Pakistan since 1985 – was more on Taylor's left eye.

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The senior batsman will have an operation to remove a pterygium growth on Wednesday, the day after the match is scheduled to finish.

However, Taylor was always confident he would play, with tests showing he still had good vision.

"I am looking forward to this Test," he said. "I can't say I'm looking forward to the operation after (with) what it entails but I am sure we'll get over it."

Pterygium is also called 'surfer's eye' and can affect anyone who spends a lot of time outside.

Taylor, 32, said he had had it for about five or six years.

The eye got irritated when it was windy and was unrelated to his habit of exaggeratedly widening his eyes while batting.

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"You go down to breakfast and your eye's a bit red and the team think you've been out all night, where I've been in bed," he joked

It wasn't until the first Test against Australia in Brisbane last year that he decided to address the issue.

"It was pretty cloudy and might even have had a little bit of rain," he added. 

"But I came off the field I couldn't really see much and then I took a one-handed catch next over so I'm not quite sure what happened there.

"Until I've had the operation I won't know whether it's improved or not."

The surgeon expected recovery time would be four to six weeks.

Taylor acknowledged critics might blame his eyesight if his form wanes.

"I am sure that will be the case," he said. "If that happens I can't worry about it, I'm going out there to bat and give my best with the bat and in the slip cordon.

"I can't really wonder about 'what if'."

Taylor admitted Boult's injury was a loss for the side, but his likely replacement, Matt Henry, was probably New Zealand's best-performed quick bowler on the recent tour of India.

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