BLACKCAPS announce 15-man Test squad for tour of India

The New Zealand selectors today named a 15-man Test squad for the tour of India.

Brent Arnel – Northern Knights
Hamish Bennett – Canterbury Wizards
Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Gareth Hopkins – Auckland Aces
Chris Martin – Auckland Aces
Brendon McCullum – Otago Volts
Tim McIntosh – Auckland Aces
Andy McKay – Wellington Firebirds
Jeetan Patel – Wellington Firebirds
Jesse Ryder – Wellington Firebirds
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Ross Taylor – Central Stags
Daniel Vettori (c) – Northern Knights
B-J Watling – Northern Knights
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights

The squad includes two uncapped Test cricketers in Kane Williamson and Hamish Bennett.

Coach and selector Mark Greatbatch said Bennett and Williamson deserve their selection after showing promise on the recent tour of Bangladesh.

“Kane Williamson is an impressive young talent and his game continues to improve with his involvement in the BLACKCAPS while Bennett did everything asked of him on the recent tour of Bangladesh and offers the side a genuine pace option,” Greatbatch said.

Six players, Brent Arnel, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Tim McIntosh, Gareth Hopkins and Jeetan Patel will travel directly from Zimbabwe to India where they have been playing a series of four-day matches for the New Zealand A.

“The group of players coming from Zimbabwe have had the ideal preparation with three hard fought matches in difficult conditions. The rest of the squad have been training hard and are keen to prove that they are better that the recent performances in Bangladesh,” Greatbatch said.

“We are well aware that we are recent performances are not up to scratch and we need to improve if we are to compete with a very strong Indian side – the team are determined to do so.

“Players outside the 15 will continue to be considered and we will closely monitor performances in the Plunket Shield. The door has not closed for any player.”

The One-Day squad for the BLACKCAPS tour of India will be announced in due course.