The decision review system will be introduced to international cricket but confusion remains over its full implementation.

New Zealand's opening Test against Pakistan in Dunedin will feature the system, which was supposed to be applied in all Tests from October 1.

It now appears it will be used in some series but not others after India declined using it against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad last week while England's series in South Africa is not currently scheduled to employ it.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India said they were opting not to use it after consultation with their players.

There is also an ongoing cost issue with broadcasters looking to be compensated for the use of technological innovations such as ball tracking, hot spot and snickometers.

Resistance to the system contrasts to the attitude of countries in embracing it earlier this year following initial trials.

Only England of the 10 full member countries rejected its introduction at an International Cricket Council board meeting in June.

Australia's opening Test against West Indies, which starts later this week, is also scheduled to use the system, which affords two unsuccessful appeals per side per innings.

"We are excited about the introduction of this ground-breaking system," said David Richardson, the ICC's general manager of cricket.

"With the improvement of technology, umpires' mistakes are exposed and scrutinised like never before. This system will help alleviate the problems created when mistakes, which appear obvious on replays, are made.

"The system allows television technology to be used in a way that will not result in too many delays, will not de-skill the umpires and will take some pressure off the umpires.

"The fact is that trials showed that the system improved player behaviour and led to a significant reduction in the number of umpiring errors."

Meanwhile the retirement of Jacob Oram means New Zealand cannot afford passengers, according to captain Daniel Vettori.

The injury-prone all-rounder has been a strong performer in both disciplines for the Black Caps but announced his retirement from the five-day game last month.

That means New Zealand will head into Tuesday's clash with six specialist batsmen, wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, spinner Vettori and three seamers.

"You want to perform in all disciplines," said Vettori. "I think there's going to be a focus on the batting but when you're going in with four bowlers, you want to make sure all four step up.

"In the past we've probably had a bit of a luxury with the all-rounder but this time round everyone has to step up and do their job.

"That's going to be the key throughout the summer, that we get players performing at the right times."

Vettori, who took a blow on the elbow in the nets yesterday, admitted he himself is not fully fit.

"I wouldn't say fully, but I'll be fine," he said.

Nevertheless, Vettori wants the specialist bowlers to do all the bowling, especially as part-timer Grant Elliott has been carrying a knee injury.

"In a desperate situation we could call on him, but we'd rather not," said Vettori. "We'd rather stick to the four bowlers.

"It probably means an increased workload for me in particular, but I think that's a good thing.

"We have to be honest and acknowledge that our batting hasn't been as good as we'd like but I've seen some really good improvements in some of the guys.

"Now we go into a Test match with six batters and their role is to bat. None of them have to worry about bowling so hopefully them, combined with Brendon and myself, can get the job done."

Vettori expects a tough challenge from a Pakistan side somewhat out of practise because of the security concerns which have limited international sport in the country.

"They're a dangerous side," he said. "They've got a very balanced bowling line-up and they've got one of the greatest batsmen of the modern generation in Mohammed Yousuf, so when you put that together that's a useful side."

Vettori admitted to mixed feelings about the controversial referral system.

He said: "It's a difficult one. I played a long time with no referral system and had no issues. I've seen it work well and I've seen it work badly.

"Hopefully we can get it to where it becomes an instrument to get rid of bad decisions and nothing more."

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam has hailed his bowling attack but has his doubts about the new referral system.

"We are an inexperienced side and we need to bat four or five sessions," he said.

"We have the kind of bowling attack that we can get 20 wickets and this is what you need.

"But as far as batting is concerned I think we will have to be very, very careful."

Unlike earlier trials, each side will only be able to make a maximum of two unsuccessful referrals to the third umpire in each innings if they disagree with the on-field umpire's decision.

Intikhab said he was happy with the new system, while Vettori said he would prefer the number of unsuccessful appeals per innings to be limited to one.

"One (referral) doesn't allow people just to go upstairs for a bit of a guess," he said.

"Hopefully we can get it where it becomes an instrument to get rid of the bad decisions and nothing more."

Key Players

New Zealand: Typically the rock amidst a potentially brittle batting order, Tim McIntosh would do well to make his selection at the top of the knock count.

Pakistan: With no Shahid Afridi alongside him and Danish Kaneria unlikely to crack the nod for the starting XI, spinner Saaed Ajmal must come to the party in Dunedin.

Prediction Test competition is an entirely different ball game compared to the limited-overs stuff, leaving New Zealand a unit far more worthy of a win than the World Twenty20 champions.

Last Five Head-to-Head Results

2003: Second Test: Pakistan won by seven wickets in Wellington
2003: First Test: Match Drawn In Hamilton
2002: First Test: Pakistan won by an innings and 324 runs in Lahore
2001: Third Test: New Zealand won by an innings and 185 runs in Hamilton
2001: Second Test: Match Drawn in Christchurch

Likely Teams

New Zealand: Tim McIntosh, Peter Fulton, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Grant Elliott, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien.

Pakistan: Khurram Manzoor, Imran Farhat, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif.

Dates: 24-28 November; First Session: 23:00 (previous day)-01:00, Second Session: 01:40-03:40, Third Session: 4:00-06:00 (all times GMT)