TelstraClear Black Caps Test and one-day international squads named for India and Pakistan

New Zealand Cricket selection manager Sir Richard Hadlee today named the TelstraClear Black Caps Test and one-day squads for the up-coming tour of India and Pakistan.

The Test match section of the tour will run from September 23 to October 20 and will include two first-class matches followed by two Tests against India.

The 14-man Test squad is:

Stephen Fleming (captain)
Nathan Astle
Ian Butler
Robbie Hart
Richard Jones
Craig McMillan
Michael Mason
Jacob Oram
Mark Richardson
Scott Styris
Daryl Tuffey
Daniel Vettori
Lou Vincent
Paul Wiseman

Chris Cairns was unavailable for this section of the tour because his partner is due to have a baby. Shane Bond was unavailable for selection because of injury.

Hadlee said the unavailability of Bond and Cairns had left a space for Central Districts medium pacer Michael Mason.

"Michael has been a consistent performer in the State Championship and State Shield for several seasons and has earned his call up.

"He has the ability to bowl long spells of consistent line and length which will be useful on pitches that may not offer a lot of assistance.

"Over the next two weeks Michael will be attending the Denis Lilliee, Chennai-based, bowling clinic which should be of benefit to him."

Hadlee said Richard Jones had been retained in the side as a top-order batting option.

"We feel he has something to offer the team at the top of the order particularly in the conditions we expect to face in India."

Hadlee said McMillan had been recalled into the side because of his experience and because the selectors were confident he would recapture his best form.

"Craig is very keen to reestablish himself in the team as a senior player and to contribute again as he has in the past.

"His experience will be vital in India and the opportunity is now there for him to perform and reclaim his place long-term."

Between October 23 and November 18 the TelstraClear Black Caps will participate in a triangular one-day international series also including India and Australia. During this time they will play six qualifying one-day internationals then possibly the final.

The 14-man one-day squad for this section of the tour is:

Stephen Fleming (captain)
Nathan Astle
Ian Butler
Chris Cairns
Chris Harris
Paul Hitchcock
Brendon McCullum
Craig McMillan
Kyle Mills
Jacob Oram
Scott Styris
Daryl Tuffey
Daniel Vettori
Lou Vincent

(This one-day squad is confirmed for the Indian leg of the tour and will be reviewed before the Pakistan leg).

Hadlee said Wellington medium pacer Paul Hitchcock had been recalled into the one-day team because it was thought his bowling would suit the conditions.

"With Andre Adams omitted from the side Paul give us another option bowling at the death where he could utilise his good change of pace."

"Paul also tends to skid the ball through which could make him very effective on the dry low bouncing wickets that the team is likely to encounter."

Hadlee said Ian Butler had been recalled to the one-day squad in the absence of Shane Bond.

"With Shane unavailable Ian will give Stephen Fleming a pace bowling option.

"He is maturing gradually as a pace bowler and he will gain more valuable experience on this tour."

Hadlee said the inclusion of Richard Jones and Michael Mason in the Test squad and Paul Hitchcock in the one-day squad showed that NZC was prepared to look beyond its contracted players if conditions dictated.

"We believe those three players have particular attributes which will make them effective in the conditions the team is likely to encounter.

"I think this sends a clear message to players in the domestic competitions that if we believe a non-contracted player can contribute to the team, we are open to creating that opportunity for them."

The Test squad leaves for Brisbane for an eight day training camp on September 10 but will return to New Zealand before leaving for India on September 21.