Nevin and Tuffey get international recall for England series

Chris Nevin and Daryl Tuffey have been recalled to the CLEAR Black Caps for the first two National Bank Series One-Day Internationals against England at Christchurch and Wellington this week.

They are the only two newcomers to the side which returns home from Australia where New Zealand was beaten 2-0 in the VB Series finals by South Africa.

Out of the team are: Adam Parore, James Franklin, Scott Styris, Mark Richardson and not available due to injury was Dion Nash.

The full team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Brendon McCullum, Lou Vincent, Craig McMillan, Chris Nevin, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori, Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey.

The retention of McCullum suggests he is still being considered as a prospective opening partner for Astle, although whether he bats down the order to ease his introduction into the international scene, while Nevin opens, remains to be seen.

It could be that the selectors are looking to have him open the innings and Nevin as a straight replacement for Parore whose batting has been below par in Australia.

The recall of Tuffey is clearly to give Bond solid pace support at the top of the innings and to also work on the solution for the problems in bowling at the death.

The prospect of Vincent moving down the order also allows him to be at his most effective, instead of having to carry the burden in the unfamiliar opening position.

New Zealand go into Wednesday's day-night match at Jade Stadium needing to break a 0-5 losing sequence that has occurred in the last stages of the VB campaign.