BLACKCAPS announce 15-man Test squad for India

New Zealand Cricket today announced a 15-man Test quad for the upcoming tour of India.

Ross Taylor (c) – Central Stags
Trent Boult – Northern Knights
Doug Bracewell – Central Stags
Daniel Flynn – Northern Knights
James Franklin – Wellington Firebirds
Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Chris Martin – Auckland Aces
Brendon McCullum – Otago Volts
Tarun Nethula – Central Stags
Jeetan Patel – Wellington Firebirds
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Kruger van Wyk – Central Stags
Neil Wagner – Otago Volts
BJ Watling – Northern Knights
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights

National Selection Manager, Kim Littlejohn said “The tour of India will be a great challenge and experience for this squad

“Unfortunately Daniel Vettori won’t recover in time for the Test series but his injury has created and opportunity for Jeetan Patel to come back into the side.   Jeetan has been in great from for Warwickshire and deserves his opportunity.

“James Franklin has been brought into the squad to bolster the batting.  He brings a lot of experience and knowledge of playing in Indian conditions which will be invaluable.

“Dean Brownlie misses out on selection.  We continue to see him as player of the future but at this stage we feel he needs to works on parts of his game.  There’s no doubt he will work hard to regain selection.”

The first Test is at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on 23 August 2012.