All-rounder Jimmy Neesham and off-spinner Jeetan Patel have been recalled to the 13-man Test squad for the first Test of the three-match series against South Africa beginning March 8 in Dunedin.
Patel, who made a return to the Test squad after a gap of nearly four years against India last year, has been called up at the expense of leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.
Reflecting on Patel's inclusion, national selector Gavin Larsen said the former brings a huge amount of experience to the team and gives the side the required balance.
"Jeetan brings the ability to spin the ball away from the left-handers, which complements our other spinner in Mitchell Santner nicely. He brings a huge amount of experience to the team and gives us the balance of having two front-line spin options," ESPNcricinfo quoted Larsen as saying.
Neil Wagner, who has recovered fully from a finger injury he sustained in early February, has also been named in the Test squad.
Also Read
Meanwhile, Matt Henry and Dean Brownlie, who both were part of the successful two-match Test series against Bangladesh in January, have been left out for the upcoming series.
The New Zealand squad is as follows:
Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Jeetan Patel, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
