New Zealand named two uncapped players today in a 15-man Test squad for their upcoming Bangladesh tour but will be missing injured veterans Daniel Vettori and Martin Guptill.
The selectors turned to spinner Ish Sodhi and allrounder Corey Anderson for the two-Test series after the pair showed they could handle subcontinental conditions on New Zealand A's current tour of India.
Coach Mike Hesson said their inclusion, along with specialist spinner Bruce Martin, gave New Zealand plenty of options for the Tests in Chittagong and Dhaka.
"The Bangladesh tour is a good opportunity to introduce a promising spinner, and having two specialist spinners in the squad gives us the option to utilise wickets that are likely to turn," he said.
Opening batsman Guptill was ruled out with an ankle injury, while Vettori will miss the entire season after undergoing an operation on a recurring Achilles tendon problem that threatens to end his 16-year international career.
Paceman Tim Southee was also left out after ankle surgery in July but could join the squad in Bangladesh if he recovers quickly enough.
New Zealand play Tests against Bangladesh in Chittagong from October 9-13 and Dhaka from October 21-25.
After that the Black Caps will name a squad to play three one-day internationals and a possible Twenty20 international, which is still awaiting approval from the International Cricket Council.
Test squad:
Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Tom Latham, Bruce Martin, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.
