Allrounder Mitchell Santner has returned to the New Zealand cricket squad for the second Test against Pakistan, having made a quick recovery after fracturing his wrist three weeks ago.
Mitchell Santner is returning to the Black Caps Test squad Photo: Photosport
Santner replaces Jimmy Neesham in the squad, who will rejoin the Otago Volts.
An x-ray yesterday showed Santner's left wrist had healed enough to make him available for the match starting Friday.
Ross Taylor's status for the second Test is still yet to be confirmed, with the 32 year old to see another eye specialist in the coming days.
Northern Districts batsman Dean Brownlie will join the squad as cover for Taylor.
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen said: "It's obviously pleasing to have Mitchell back with the team ahead of the second Test. With him and Todd in the team, it gives us the opportunity to play two spinners if required. Mitchell brings all-round ability and is coming off a strong tour of India."
"We're still waiting on a little more information on Ross before we make any decision on his availability for the second Test. Dean will come in as cover, but we should know more in the next couple of days."
Meanwhile Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has been suspended for one Test and fined 40 per cent of his match fee for his side's slow over rate during the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.
Misbah was going to miss the second Test anyway as he's returned home following the death of his father-in-law.
The rest of the Pakistan players have been fined 20 percent of their match fees, for maintaining a slow over-rate during New Zealand's eight-wicket victory at Hagley Oval.
ICC match referee Richie Richardson imposed the suspension on Misbah after Pakistan was ruled to be two overs short of its target of 103 overs after time allowances were taken into consideration.
As Misbah had previously been found guilty of a minor over-rate offence during The Oval Test against England in August 2016, this offence constituted his second minor over-rate offence within a 12-month period.
The charge was laid by on-field umpires Ian Gould and S.Ravi, third umpire Simon Fry and fourth official Shaun Haig.
Misbah had previously missed only one Test since he was appointed captain in 2010: he was unavailable for a 2012 Test in Galle, due to a suspension for slow over-rates.
-RNZ
