One change in BLACKCAPS squad for third Test

New Zealand Cricket has announced the BLACKCAPS squad for the third Test against Pakistan, starting in Napier on Friday 11 December.

The squad of 13 is:

Daniel Vettori (Captain)
Grant Elliott
Daniel Flynn
Martin Guptill
Chris Martin
Brendon McCullum
Tim McIntosh
Iain O’Brien
Jeetan Patel
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Daryl Tuffey
BJ Watling

The side includes one changes from the second Test squad, with Peter Fulton omitted and BJ Watling brought into the squad.

Northern Districts batsman BJ (Bradley-John) Watling, 24, earns his first call-up to the BLACKCAPS Test squad after playing in the two Twenty20 Internationals against Pakistan last month in the United Arab Emirates.

His selection comes after strong performances in the 2008/09 State Shield, and innings of 90 and 136 in the most recent rounds of the Plunket Shield. Watling also toured this year with the New Zealand Emerging Players in Australia, and New Zealand A in India.

National selector Mark Greatbatch said Watling showed outstanding potential as a developing batsman. “He’s a quality young player with good technique,” said Greatbatch. With the series at one-all we need to regroup and we believe Watling can add strength at the top.

“There was a lot of discussion about the batting line-up, but this was not a time for wholesale change. We are aiming to give guys the opportunity to succeed.”