Bracewell keeps Test spot

Jesse Ryder was predictably missing but Doug Bracewell retained his place in the New Zealand squad for the first Test against South Africa in Dunedin.

Both players were left out of the team for the third ODI in Auckland for disciplinary reasons. While Ryder is not part of the Test team's immediate plans following a poor series in Australia last year, Bracewell is among the most promising members of New Zealand's pace attack, as he demonstrated on the same tour.

The most notable other omissions from the squad were Dean Brownlie, who could not be considered as he recovers from a fractured finger, and Sam Wells, part of the squad that faced Zimbabwe but not thought ready to face South Africa.

Andrew Ellis and Rob Nicol have been elevated to the Test squad, and the national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said both had shown promising signs against South Africa in the limited overs matches.

"We are pleased with the way the Test team has performed this summer and this group is looking forward to the challenge of continuing that success," Littlejohn said.

"Both Rob and Andrew have shown promise against South Africa in limited-overs cricket and we believe they can transfer their form across to the Test matches.

"Sam Wells, who was part of the squad who played Zimbabwe, is unlucky to miss out but we decided to include players will a bit more cricket under their belt. He still remains part of our thinking for the future."

Another player may yet be added to the squad, depending on conditions in Dunedin.