New Zealand cricketer Doug Bracewell has reportedly been named in the side's Test cricket squad to face Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month.
The fast bowler is the only change to the 15-man squad, which beat West Indies 2-1 in the Caribbean in June, replacing out of favour opener Peter Fulton. Bracewell was in New Zealand Cricket's bad books after his night out with Jesse Ryder on the eve of the Auckland Test against India in February, during which he suffered a foot injury.
Bracewell was not considered for the West Indies tour as coach Mike Hesson demanded that he and Ryder change their off-field behaviour, Stuff.co.nz reported.
Hesson was suitably convinced to select Bracewell for the recent New Zealand A team tour of England as the injured Adam Milne's replacement, and the paceman responded by claiming 15 wickets at an average of 16 in the one-day matches.
The paceman had shown improvements in fitness and attitude. Hesson said that Bracewell had a very good New Zealand A tour and they just think that in the heat in the UAE his experience and resilience in those conditions would be important.
Bracewell has 50 wickets from 18 tests, the most recent against Bangladesh a year ago.
New Zealand test squad to face Pakistan is: Brendon McCullum (captain), Tom Latham, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Jimmy Neesham, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mark Craig, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell.
