WELLINGTON - The return of World Cup star Martin Guptill and a call-up for fast-bowler Matt Henry headlined the New Zealand Test squad named on Saturday for the series against England starting next month.Guptill, the leading run scorer in the recent World Cup, has not been required for Test duty since playing the last of his 31 internationals on the New Zealand tour to England in 2013.
He has two centuries to his name, including a highest score of 189 and has a batting average of 29.62. “Martin’s a classically-styled batsman and there’s really no reason why he can’t be as influential in the longer game as he is in the short,” coach Mike Hesson said when naming the team.
However, although included in the 15-man squad, the ODI opener is not assured of breaking into the starting XI and Hesson said he would have a chance to stake his claim in warm-up games against Somerset and Worcester. “This is a stable, established Test side but there will be opportunities for contenders,” Hesson said, with Hamish Rutherford and Tom Latham the incumbent openers.
Henry, who was thrust into the World Cup squad for the last two games following injury to Adam Milne, breaks into the Test squad through injury to James Neesham. “It’s another step up for Matt but we’ve been impressed by the maturity and skill-set he’s already shown in the ODI format,” Hesson said.
Given conditions expected in England in May and June, Mark Craig is the sole specialist spinner selected.
TEST SQUAD:
Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson
ODI AND T20 SQUAD:
McCullum, Anderson, Boult, Grant Elliott, Guptill, Henry, Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Ronchi, Mitchell Santner Southee, Taylor, Williamson.