New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson has brushed off criticism of Neil Broom, saying he has earned his place in the Black Caps.
Photo: Photosport
The Otago batsman has been named in the team to replace the injured Ross Taylor for the second test of the three-match series against South Africa, starting in Wellington on Thursday.
Taylor has been ruled out with a calf injury.
The first Test in Dunedin ended in a draw after play was abandoned yesterday without a ball being bowled due to rain.
With Dean Brownlie unavailable due to injury, Williamson said Broom, who has not played a Test, deserved an opportunity.
"Neil's been in and around the one day group for a period of time and been very successful. He's played a lot of domestic cricket, been successful for a long period of time and deserves an opportunity."
Pace bowler Matt Henry has also been added to the Black Caps squad for the second Test, with Trent Boult under an injury cloud.
Meanwhile, Williamson is desperate for dry weather in Wellington after rain robbed fans and teams of final day fun.
Williamson said the wet weather prevented an exciting finish.
"Obviously a shame to lose the last day to rain, but it was shaping up to be a great game and we were able to put them under pressure. To do that we do have to perform very well when you do play one of the best sides in the world and then to put partnerships together against a very good attack that they have was a good effort."
Who is the first choice spinner?
Seamer Tim Southee will probably return to the playing XI for the second Test, but it was unclear who the Black Caps' first-choice spinner is.
Following the drawn opener in Dunedin, where the hosts played two spinners at home for the first time in seven years, Williamson conceded things would likely return to normal for the Basin Reserve.
Southee was left out and off-spinner Jeetan Patel and incumbent twirler Mitchell Santner both played in the draw, but Patel sent down nearly twice as many overs and twice removed dangerman Quinton de Kock.
Having played two spinners in Dunedin, Williamson said he was not sure who will play in Wellington.
"I think we have the luxury at the moment of having a few high quality spinners in the country that all do different things. That is probably the main consideration going into a game is looking at what strengths we have and matching them up to the surface so it is a very good problem to have."
History suggested the Basin Reserve did not take a huge amount of turn.
The Wellington pitch may favour pace, but New Zealand were also likely to play the third Test with two spinners again, where the Hamilton pitch took turn.
