The BLACKCAPS squad for the Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month has a familiar look to it with just one change to the team that was victorious in the West Indies recently.
Pace bowler Doug Bracewell returns to the 15-strong squad named today for the three Pakistan Tests. The 24-year-old, with 18 Tests under his belt, last played for his country a year ago against Bangladesh.
Also named today is a New Zealand XI squad to play Scotland and Ireland in two warm-up matches before the ANZ One Day International Series against South Africa.
BLACKCAPS Test squad for series v Pakistan in UAE
Brendon McCullum (c) - Otago Volts
Corey Anderson - Northern Knights
Trent Boult - Northern Knights
Doug Bracewell - Central Stags
Mark Craig - Otago Volts
Tom Latham - Canterbury
James Neesham - Otago Volts
Luke Ronchi - Wellington Firebirds
Hamish Rutherford - Otago Volts
Ish Sodhi - Northern Knights
Tim Southee - Northern Knights
Ross Taylor - Central Stags
Neil Wagner - Otago Volts
BJ Watling - Northern Knights
Kane Williamson - Northern Knights
BLACKCAPS Head Coach Mike Hesson says the selectors were keen to stick with the bulk of the squad who won only our second ever Test series in the West Indies.
“Newcomers like Mark Craig proved in the Caribbean that they deserved their spot while others such as Doug Bracewell and Hamish Rutherford had a very strong New Zealand A tour to England and on that basis warrant their inclusion.”
Hesson says that Bracewell is extremely fit and strong and has done everything the selectors wanted of him.
“Doug had a very good NZ A tour and we just think that in the heat in the UAE his experience and resilience in those conditions will be important.”
“Likewise Hamish demonstrated a lot of positives on that England tour. His balance was back and with that came his confidence.”
Hesson is thrilled with how Craig embraced his debut series in the West Indies.
“Mark had an outstanding first series in spin-friendly conditions and really stepped up to the level required in Test cricket. Now the challenge for him is to deliver on his second tour when the opposition will know more about him.”
Hesson adds that we don’t have a great record against Pakistan, last winning a series against them in 1984.
“Pakistan is an incredibly tough team to play in conditions favourable to them. Our record against Pakistan is actually the worst against any of the Test playing nations, having won just two out of 19 series, both home and away.”
Meanwhile, a New Zealand XI squad of 19 players has been named for two warm-up matches against Scotland (15 October in Lincoln) and Ireland (18 October in Hamilton).
The squad will also attend a camp in Melbourne next week which will involve a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and some Cricket World Cup promotions.
The team to play South Africa in three ANZ ODIs (21, 24 and 27 October) will be named after the two warm-up matches.
NZ XI squad for warm-up matches against Scotland and Ireland:
Brendon McCullum (c) - Otago Volts
Corey Anderson - Northern Knights
Trent Boult - Northern Knights
Dean Brownlie - Northern Knights
Martin Guptill - Auckland Aces
Matt Henry - Canterbury
Tom Latham - Canterbury
Mitchell McClenaghan - Auckland Aces
Nathan McCullum - Otago Volts
Kyle Mills - Auckland Aces
Adam Milne - Central Stags
Colin Munro - Auckland Aces
James Neesham - Otago Volts
Luke Ronchi - Wellington Firebirds
Tim Southee - Northern Knights
Ross Taylor - Central Stags
Daniel Vettori - Northern Knights
BJ Watling - Northern Knights
Kane Williamson - Northern Knights
