Southee called in to BLACKCAPS squad

Northern Districts pace bowler Tim Southee has been brought in to the BLACKCAPS squad for the second Test against Pakistan.

He replaces the injured Shane Bond in the squad, after an abdominal injury yesterday ruled Bond out of the remaining Tests in the National Bank Series.

Southee was a member of the BLACKCAPS side during the limited overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. His last Test match was against India at Wellington in April.

Southee and Daryl Tuffey are likely to be in contention for the third seamer role in the Wellington Test, starting on Thursday. The playing 11 is expected to be named just prior to the match.

Southee joins his team mates in Wellington this morning (Wednesday).

New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Southee had been cleared to play in the Test after serving a one-match suspension for an incident in a Plunket Shield match for the Northern Knights last week.

Southee was reported for unacceptable behaviour after he was heard using inappropriate language during the Wellington Firebirds innings on Thursday 26 November.

NZC had initially lodged an appeal against the one-match suspension, but withdrew the appeal yesterday after receiving further evidence about the incident from players on both sides, which indicated that Southee’s remarks were not directed at a player, which could have been grounds for a longer suspension.

Southee has acknowledged that his behaviour was inappropriate and has accepted responsibility for the indiscretion, which resulted in him missing a District Association match for Northland last weekend.

The National Commissor Nicholas Davidson is still to provide his written conclusions to this matter which will be made available in due course. Until then it is inappropriate to comment further.