Elliott and Tuffey picked for tour opener

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named a 12-man squad to face Pakistan in a three-day warm-up game in Queenstown starting November 18. The squad will be captained by Grant Elliott, who has recovered from his thumb injury, and includes a fit Daryl Tuffey and Test hopefuls Tim McIntosh and Daniel Flynn.

Elliott and Tuffey, who suffered injuries during the ICC Champions Trophy, were ruled out of the ODI and Twenty20 series against Pakistan in the UAE. Mark Greatbatch, a national selector, said the match would provide a good opportunity for them and several other New Zealand players.

McIntosh and Flynn were a part of New Zealand's disappointing Test tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year and did not fare too well in tough conditions and against quality pace and spin. Craig Cumming, who scored a century in the first round of the Plunket Shield this week, has been included as well. Cumming, 34, played the last of his 11 Tests in January 28.

"Grant Elliott and Daryl Tuffey have recovered well from injuries received at the Champions Trophy in South Africa," said Greatbatch. "They have been playing domestic cricket and this will be a further solid workout for them. There are also a few players who are knocking on the door for selection at the top level - and they will get a good opportunity to test themselves against a strong touring side."

Pakistan are due to arrive in New Zealand on Sunday and commence a series of three Tests, the first of which will be played in Dunedin from November 24.

New Zealand Invitation XI squad: Grant Elliott (capt), Craig Cumming, Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling, Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, Reece Young (wk), Daryl Tuffey, Tarun Nethula, Tim Southee, Iain O'Brien, Brent Arnel.