Johannesburg, Oct. 1 : The New Zealand cricket management was cautiously optimistic today about all rounder Grant Elliott playing in Sunday''s Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan.

Elliott played a pivotal role in the Black Caps'' four-wicket win over England in Johannesburg yesterday (NZT), but picked up a hand injury along the way when he was hit on the right thumb while batting as New Zealand chased 147 on a pitch with uneven bounce.

Although he only made three with the bat, Elliott got over a shaky start to grab career-best figures of four for 31 with his medium pacers as New Zealand bettered England''s
146 all out with four wickets and almost 23 overs to spare.

New Zealand manager Dave Currie said this morning that there was a good chance South African-born Elliott would be able to play in the semi-final, but a final decision wouldn''t be made until tomorrow.

"He has done some damage to the thumb, he''s having a fitness test tomorrow morning and we''re hopeful that he''ll get through it and play," the New Zealand Herald quoted Currie, as saying. (ANI)