The New Zealand cricket selectors have had a major clean out of the test squad in the wake of the 3-nil series whitewash in India.
Auckland batsman Colin de Grandhomme. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Five players have been dropped from the squad for the upcoming two tests against Pakistan while there are two players, Auckland opener Jeet Raval and Colin de Grandhomme, who are in line to make their test debuts.
The one test Canterbury all-rounder Todd Astle who has been in good form domestically has earnt a recall.
His one test cap came against Sri Lanka in 2012.
Doug Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Jeetan Patel, Luke Ronchi and Ish Sodhi are the five players dropped.
Selector Gavin Larsen admitted there had been a number of difficult decisions that had to be made.
"There were a number of tough calls and when naming a squad of 13 it's a challenge to make sure we get the balance right.
"Jeet has been in the picture for a while now and he benefitted from spending time in the environment during the tour of Africa.
He said Jeet's form in recent seasons had been excellent and the opportunity for him to begin his international career would be important.
"Luke, Martin, Doug miss out this series, but we know that they and the others who miss out will continue to work hard on their game and get the chance to continue staking a claim in the domestic competition."
Auckland opener Jeet Raval. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Six players were not considered due to injury, those being Mitchell Santner, Mark Craig, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan, Colin Munro, and George Worker. Corey Anderson was also not in contention, as he continues to work on building up his bowling work load.
BLACKCAPS Test Squad
Kane Williamson (c)
Todd Astle
Trent Boult
Colin de Grandhomme
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Henry Nicholls
Jimmy Neesham
Jeet Raval
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Neil Wagner
BJ Watling
