Captain Daniel Vettori is almost certain to retain Brendon McCullum in the number five position in Brisbane.

McCullum scored eight and three and faced a total of just 14 balls in two innings as the Black Caps lost by 149 runs at the Gabba to go 1-0 down in the two-Test series.

McCullum, who was named New Zealand's cricketer of the year earlier this month, made the move up the order against England in May where he enjoyed some success.

But since then he has had mixed results against Bangladesh, where he scored 25 and two in the first Test and 66 in the second, and New South Wales (four and 54).

But Vettori is keen to keep his wicket-keeper at five in what is an inexperienced batting line-up.

"It is one of those mid-series things that is tough to change but you are always re-investigating things.

"When you make changes you want them to work and initially Brendon did really well in England," the Black Caps skipper said.

"Obviously he is frustrated at his results since then but he is the sort of guy who wants responsibility and he wants those challenges.

"We've seen what happened in the one-day game (when he moved up to opening) so I suppose I like those guys who want to be in the fight.

"So it's always there, but I would prefer to see him bat number five at this stage," Vettori told The Dominion Post.

Vettori also confirmed he is giving serious thought to using two spinners, himself and Jeetan Patel, in Adelaide.

That could mean seamer Tim Southee missing out, while all-rounder Grant Elliott, who was used primarily as a batsman and scored nine and nought, could be replaced by Peter Fulton.

The second Test at the Adelaide Oval begins on Friday.