Paul Wiseman back in frame, replaces Vettori

Paul Wiseman has come in from the cold.

He has been named as Daniel Vettori's replacement on the tour of Australia and will leave Christchurch tomorrow to join the team.

Wiseman, who injured an ankle and returned home from New Zealand's tour of South Africa was dropped by the national selectors after the first Test loss to Pakistan in Auckland.

He had played against Zimbabwe in the Boxing Day Test as the No 1 spin option and sent down 54 overs in Zimbabwe's first innings for a return of none for 131. He took one for 15 in the second innings.

Then in the Pakistan Test he none for 35 and one for 107.

He was replaced by Grant Bradburn for the remaining Tests of the series. While Bradburn fared little better, taking one for 124 in the second Test and not being required to bowl in New Zealand's third Test victory.

However, Wiseman also found himself left out of the end of season tour to Sharjah and the mid-year tour to Sri Lanka as Bradburn was preferred.

But Wiseman's experience was the key factor in his call-up and if able to get into form, and selection contention for the first Test, he is capable of making a significant contribution to New Zealand's tour aspirations.

New Zealand selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee said today: "Paul Wiseman has played Test cricket and that experience counted heavily in his favour. Paul has also shown, in the past, that he is capable of taking wickets at this level.

"His inclusion in the squad will, no doubt, create competition with Glen Sulzberger for a Test place," Hadlee said.