New Zealand Test wicket-keeping incumbent Adam Parore has decided to take an indefinite break from all cricket and may not be available for the forthcoming National Bank Test series with England.

New Zealand Cricket announced Parore's decision today and gave him their full blessing and are hopeful the break will see him return stronger and fitter in due course.

The New Zealand selectors have been criticised over the last few years when they have tried to lessen the load on Parore by choosing Chris Nevin, for tours especially, with exhaustion and injury risk being prime concerns.

Parore admitted to being exhausted and will not be available for Auckland's remaining State Championship matches but is undecided on his availability for the England series.

Parore was disappointed to miss the one-day series with England but it now must be wondered whether his exhaustion would have affected his ability to perform in the series, or whether the enforced break has made him realise the toll the constant cricket has been taking of him.

Parore had an outstanding Test series in Australia, scoring his second Test century in the third Test in Perth and almost contributing significantly to a New Zealand victory.

He also kept wickets well in the VB Series although did not perform as well with the bat.

Should he not be available for the Test series the selectors face another big decision. They have invested in Nevin for the one-day game, mainly for the contribution he can make when opening the innings. But his form with the gloves is not up to the standard of a couple of years ago.

He would have to be the preferred option for the Tests in front of what is a limited field for consideration.

The tragedy of it is that Brendon McCullum is not playing as a wicket-keeper this summer while the cause of a continual knee injury he has suffered is assessed. He would have been an ideal candidate to groom under the circumstances.

Parore's potential unavailability throws another consideration for the selectors into the mix as they watch the remaining State Championship games before they pick their first Test side.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said today: "New Zealand Cricket is supportive of Adam's decision.

"Adam is one of our longest-serving members of the current team having played for New Zealand in both forms of the game for the past 10 years. We respect his request for a break and we hope that he returns stronger and fitter in due course."

© CricInfo