NZ_SQUAD_SL_09MAR95

ROOKIE WALMSLEY STEPS UP FOR NEW ZEALAND

Rookie seam bowler Kerry Walmsley was today named in a 12-man New Zealand squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins in Napier on Saturday. The Auckland right-armer has played just three first-class matches, taking 12 wickets for 259 runs at an average of 21.58. He won selection after a five-wicket haul and match figures of six for 93 for the New Zealand Academy XI against South Africa in Nelson last week.

All-rounder Shane Thomson, who missed the Test against South Africa because of a knee injury, returns to the side, but leftarm spinner Matthew Hart has been dropped. Three players Chris Cairns, Martin Crowe and Simon Doull are unavailable because of injury. Crowe, who had knee surgery earlier this year, returned from a thigh muscle injury to play against South Africa, scoring just 16 in the first innings and 14 in the second innings.

New Zealand: K Rutherford (capt), M Greatbatch, S Fleming, G Larsen, D Morrison, D Murray, D Nash, A Parore, D Patel, S Thomson, K Walmsley, B Young.