Marshall to lead New Zealand A

James Marshall will captain a New Zealand A squad set to take on Australian domestic teams in a pre-season competition in Queensland next week. The tour also marks John Wright's first coaching role since joining New Zealand Cricket, as he will oversee the 13-man group.

Gareth Hopkins and Nathan McCullum will have a quick turnaround after arriving home from the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. The pair was expected to fly in to Auckland on Monday night and depart for the Sunshine Coast on Thursday while Bradley Scott, who was also in South Africa, has headed straight for a specialist bowling camp before the New Zealand A series.

James Franklin, who has had a persistent knee injury, was in the frame for the series but has withdrawn to give himself more time to recuperate. Richard Hadlee, the team manager, said it was pleasing for New Zealand A to be invited to play the Australian states.

"The programme will provide those Black Caps not involved in the ICC Twenty20 with vital match practice, while also allowing those players on the fringes of the team another chance to stake their claim and experience an overseas tour environment against quality opposition," Hadlee said. New Zealand A play South Australia on Sunday, Victoria on Monday and Tasmania on Wednesday.

New Zealand A squad Jamie How, Craig Cumming, Michael Papps, James Marshall (capt), Neil Broom, Gareth Hopkins (wk), Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum, Bradley Scott, Michael Mason, Kyle Mills, James McMillan, Hamish Bennett.