NZ Test Squad Announced

The New Zealand squad for the first test against Australia has been named with a number of fresh faces being included.

Lou Vincent, Craig Cumming and Hamish Marshall are the new boys in the batting lineup while the bowling attack announced is very different from the ODIs and includes James Franklin, Chris Martin, Daniel Vettori, Paul Wiseman and Iain O’Brien.

Lou Vincent and Craig Cumming come into the team on the back of some superb State Championship form this season with Vincent averaging 112.60 and Cumming averaging 45.20 with the bat and 29.20 with the ball.

James Franklin, Chris Martin and Paul Wiseman being included was no real surprise but the naming of Wellington seam bowler Iain O’Brien was a bolt from the blue considering a number of players including Grameme Aldridge were thought to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

This season O’Brien has taken 20 wickets in the State Championship at an average of 26.55 and was selected for his ability to bowl long spells and to hold up an end.

The full lineup is as follows:

New Zealand Craig Cumming, Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (capt), Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Chris Martin, Iain O’Brien, Paul Wiseman.

The 1st Test starts at Jade Stadium in Christchurch on the 10th of March.