16 Oct 2009

Watling the newcomer in the Black Caps squad

10:38 am on 16 October 2009

The Northern Districts opening batsman BJ Watling is the only newcomer to the New Zealand cricket side named for the limited overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month.

The South African born Watling earns his place after strong performances with the bat during the past year. He finished third in last summer's State Shield averages with 63.62 and he toured this year with the New Zealand Emerging Players in Australia, hitting scores of 94 and 115 not out, recording a top score of 97 with the New Zealand A side in India.

Watling will also provide wicketkeeping cover.

Jesse Ryder, Daryl Tuffey, Brendon Diamanti and Grant Elliott were not considered because of injury, while Dan Vettori and Jacob Oram's selections are subject to fitness tests.

Scott Styris, Tim Southee and Nathan McCullum come back into the squad.

The squad is: Daniel Vettori (Captain), Shane Bond, Neil Broom, Ian Butler, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Aaron Redmond, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor and BJ Watling

The Black Caps leave New Zealand for Dubai on October 27th with three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches, before both teams head to New Zealand for a three-Test series.