Kiwis to stick by spinner in Adelaide

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has leapt to the defence of Mark Craig, saying the spinner remains a crucial member of the side and is unlikely to face the selection axe just yet.

Craig has struggled to make an impact during the Commonwealth Bank Test Series to date, returning figures of 7-709 across the Tests and tour matches.

At the Gabba he took 0-156 and 3-78, while he returned 3-123 and 0-81 at the WACA.

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.

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But Hesson gave a strong indication that Craig would 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."

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Left-arm spinning allrounder 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.

The Black Caps opted to play a five-man bowling attack at the WACA after allrounder Jimmy Neesham was ruled out of the series, but may look to switch up their approach for the third Test.

Hesson said he would consider playing both Craig and 23-year-old Santner in the deciding Test in Adelaide if the pitch appeared to be conducive to spin.

"We'll just look at the wicket and see how it unfolds. It's whether we look to play two spinner (and) bat someone like Mitch Santner at six. It's an option we've got to look at." 

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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."

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Meanwhile, Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum said he team was ready to embrace the unpredictability of the upcoming day-night Test.

"Obviously there was hesitancy from both sides heading into the announcement of the pink ball," McCullum said.

"But now we're going to embrace the challenge.

"Hopefully it goes brilliantly in front of a big crowd broadcast around the world. The reluctance going in has disappeared."