The pace bowler Doug Bracewell has done his penance and is back in favour with New Zealand cricket selectors.
Bracewell has been included in the 15-strong Black Caps squad for the three-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month, having been previously shunned for off-field indiscretions.
Bracewell has been on the outer along with Jesse Ryder after they went out drinking in Auckland the night before a Test against India in February.
Bracewell's last Test was against Bangladesh a year ago.
NZ pace bowler Doug Bracewell Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson says the selectors were keen to stick with the bulk of the squad which won the Test series in the West Indies earlier this year.
He says newcomers like Mark Craig proved in the Caribbean that they deserved their spot while others such as Doug Bracewell and Hamish Rutherford had a very strong New Zealand A tour to England and hence warrant their inclusion.
Hesson says Bracewell is extremely fit and strong and has done everything the selectors wanted of him.
He says Bracewell had a very good NZ A tour and the selectors think that in the heat in the UAE his experience and resilience in those conditions will be important.
Hesson says Rutherford likewise demonstrated a lot of positives on that England tour, his balance was back and with that came his confidence.
New Zealand's last series win over Pakistan was 30 years ago and Hesson concedes it will be a tough assignment.
He says Pakistan is an incredibly tough team to play in conditions favourable to them, and their record against Pakistan is actually the worst against any of the Test-playing nations.
The Black Caps have won just two out of 19 series, both home and away.
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson
