NZ cricket teams named for Pakistan series, World Cup

WELLINGTON - New Zealand’s cricket selectors have included three new faces in the 14-man squad for the Twenty20 international clash against Pakistan.

They have rested incumbent skipper Daniel Vettori.

According to stuff.co.nz, Australian-born Canterbury batsman Dean Brownlie, 18-year-old Central Districts quick Adam Milne and Wellington all-rounder Luke Woodcock have all been included in the squad that will be captained by Ross Taylor.

Convenor of selectors Mark Greatbatch said the decision to include three rookies in the squad for the series which starts on Boxing Day came on the back of their domestic form.

“Dean Brownlie and Luke Woodcock have both enjoyed very good domestic form over the last couple of seasons and richly deserve their opportunity,” Greatbatch said.

He added: “Adam Milne is a promising young bowler and we are keen to give him some early exposure in international cricket. He is a young up-and-comer with the potential to have a big impact in international cricket for many years. Twenty20 is the ideal format for the new guys to get some international experience and exposure.”

Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, like Vettori, has been struggling with a back complaint and will undergo a fitness test later this week to determine whether he will play in Auckland on Sunday.

The selectors also announced their 13-man test squad this afternoon and, as expected, Gareth Hopkins, long considered McCullum’s understudy, has been dumped. Canterbury’s Reece Young has been given an opportunity to don the gloves in the two-test series that will follow the T20s.

“We have kept faith with the majority of the squad who performed well in the test matches against India and are wanting to build on the positive steps the team took in that series,” Greatbatch said.

For the World Cup, which will take place in the sub-continent in late February, a 15-man squad will be named on January 19.

But as per International Cricket Council requirements, the selectors also released their preliminary 30-man squad.

The squad includes seven uncapped one-day members - Brent Arnel, Doug Bracewell, Rob Nicol, Brownlie, Milne, Woodcock and Young. (ANI)