Walker needed to add variety to attack in SA

Auckland leg-spinner Brooke Walker has had a surprise elevation to the New Zealand team for the six One-Day Internationals against South Africa starting on Friday.

Walker has been called up to join the side in South Africa after it completes today's ICC KnockOut final in Nairobi.

Walker will take the place of Central Districts off-spinner Glen Sulzberger who will return home. Sulzberger was sent to Zimbabwe in place of injured left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori when he returned home with a stress crack in his back.

Sulzberger played in two matches and while doing nothing wrong was not providing the variety of attack the selectors wanted.

Paul Wiseman is already available to bowl off-spin and has been establishing a greater status in international play.

Walker, who has been one of the brighter developing prospects on the slow bowling scene in New Zealand toured England with the CLEAR Black Caps in 1999 and returned with the New Zealand 'A' side this year.

He also offers some ability with the bat.