Tim Southee's knee has improved, but not sufficiently for him to make the cut for the Test squad © AFP Enlarge
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New Zealand will be without fast bowler Tim Southee for the entire duration of the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Southee was initially left out of the limited-overs sides after suffering a cartilage damage to his left knee while preparing for the Champions League Twenty20. National selection manager Kim Littlejohn had been hopeful that Southee would recover in time for the one-off Test from November 1, but it has emerged that he has not recovered sufficiently.

"The latest scans show that the knee injury has improved but the injury has not completely gone away," Littlejohn said. "We are taking a long-term view with Tim's injury and have opted to extend his recovery period rather than rush him back too soon. He is expected to be fully fit and available for December's Test series against Australia."

Graeme Aldridge, who is already part of the Twenty20 and ODI squad, will stay back for the one-off Test match. New Zealand are also without Hamish Bennett, who shared new-ball duties with Southee during the World Cup in India. The returning Kyle Mills will share the new-ball duties with Chris Martin, Andy McKay and Aldridge.

Test squad: Ross Taylor (capt), Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Graeme Aldridge, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, Reece Young