Sore New Zealand rely on rookies

New Zealand's desperate selectors, who had seven contenders unavailable with injury, have rustled up two uncapped players for the first Test against Australia at Christchurch next week. With one match still to play in the five-game one-day series, the Kiwis have unveiled their new-look 12-man outfit by welcoming Iain O'Brien and Craig Cumming and recalling Lou Vincent and Hamish Marshall.

The inexperienced quartet has the unenviable task of lifting a side that is already trailing 4-0 in the limited-overs series, and the players face a team carrying the momentum of five Test wins in a row, including the innings-and-156-run and 213-run thrashings in Australia in November. Cumming is backed by a 78-match first-class career that has produced 10 centuries, and he was included for Tuesday's one-day match at the Basin Reserve, where he made 10 from 22 balls.

John Bracewell said O'Brien, the right-arm seamer who averages 21.92 over 31 matches for Wellington, was chosen for his ability to bowl for long periods. "He has built a reputation as a bowler who can go all day," he said. "And if we are to challenge the Australians in this series we need to be at them all day for five days."

New Zealand's plight has not been helped by a hospital-ward injury list that includes first-choice players Scott Styris (knee), Shane Bond and Jacob Oram (both back). Brett Lee concussed Michael Papps last Saturday at Auckland and the useful back-up of Ian Butler, Michael Mason and Andre Adams also have sick notes.

Vincent, the Auckland batsman, has been called for the first time in 14 months after pressing his case with 563 runs at 122.6 in the State Championship this season, and Marshall was pushed for his third Test after he showed the rare ability to cope with Australia's fast bowling in the one-day series. Australians remember Vincent from his 104 and 54 on debut at the WACA in 2001, but he has played only 14 more Tests.

Bracewell said the two spinners, Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman, had been in excellent form and showed they could bowl in tandem during the tours to Bangladesh and Australia last year. The first of the three Tests starts at Jade Stadium on March 10.

New Zealand Craig Cumming, Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (capt), Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien, Paul Wiseman.