Otago Volt Jimmy Neesham has been added to the BLACKCAPS squad for the second ANZ Test match against India in Wellington beginning on Friday.
Neesham is joined by Canterbury Wizard Tom Latham in the squad, who replaces Jesse Ryder as cover for Ross Taylor. Doug Bracewell is the other player to miss out in an otherwise unchanged squad from the victorious first Test at Eden Park in Auckland.
BLACKCAPS squad for second ANZ Test v India
Brendon McCullum (c) - Otago Volts
Corey Anderson - Northern Knights
Trent Boult - Northern Knights
Peter Fulton - Canterbury Wizards
Tom Latham* - Canterbury Wizards
Jimmy Neesham - Otago Volts
Hamish Rutherford - Otago Volts
Ish Sodhi - Northern Knights
Tim Southee - Northern Knights
Ross Taylor - Central Stags
Neil Wagner - Otago Volts
BJ Watling - Northern Knights
Kane Williamson - Northern Knights
New Zealand Cricket General Manager National Selection Bruce Edgar says that Neesham is not necessarily a straight replacement for Bracewell.
“We see Jimmy as a genuine all-rounder who can play a number of roles for us. His form with both bat and ball in the Plunket Shield this season speaks for itself,” says Edgar.
“We’ve been able to keep a settled side recently and strung together some successful results along the way. We hope to keep that going, but are well aware India will come back at us hard.”
Latham could also feature for the BLACKCAPS, with Ross Taylor awaiting the birth of his second child. If the baby had not arrived by the start of the Test, Latham would come in for Taylor.
“Tom’s an incredibly exciting prospect and is constantly pushing for selection. If called upon, we’re confident that he’ll take the opportunity with both hands.”
Neither Bracewell nor Ryder were considered for selection following recent off-field issues.
