The Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum will revert to his customary middle-order batting role for the Boxing Day cricket Test against Sri Lanka at Christchurch's Hagley Oval.
Brendon McCullum celebrating his triple century against India. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
McCullum opened the batting in all three Tests during the recent series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, scoring a double-century in the final match at Sharjah.
However, New Zealand Cricket's General Manager of National Selection Bruce Edgar says McCullum will not continue in the opening role.
He says Hamish Rutherford and Tom Latham will open against Sri Lanka, with Dean Brownlie to provide cover.
"This is another series, in different conditions and against a completely different opponent," says Edgar. "In these circumstances, we feel Brendon's better suited to, and offers more value, down the order."
Other features of the 13-man squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka include the selectors' preference for Mark Craig as the sole spin-bowler following his man-of-the-match performance in Sharjah; the recall of Dean Brownlie, and the unavailability of all-rounder Corey Anderson through injury.
Pacemen Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell return after missing the one-day series against Pakistan, leaving no room for impressive young seamers Matt Henry and Adam Milne.
Anderson suffered a groin strain in the fourth ODI against Pakistan and was not considered for selection.
The Test squad is two players smaller than the one taken to the UAE to play Pakistan, meaning spinner Ish Sodhi and wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi miss out.
New Zealand Test squad:
Brendon McCullum (c) - Otago Volts
Trent Boult - Northern Knights
Doug Bracewell - Central Stags
Dean Brownlie - Northern Knights
Mark Craig - Otago Volts
Tom Latham - Canterbury
James Neesham - Otago Volts
Hamish Rutherford - Otago Volts
Tim Southee - Northern Knights
Ross Taylor - Central Stags
Neil Wagner - Otago Volts
BJ Watling - Northern Knights
Kane Williamson - Northern Knights
