Cricket: NZ selectors stick with Craig, Guptill

Mark Craig (L) and Martin Guptill (centre) appeal during the recent series in Australia alongside...
Mark Craig (L) and Martin Guptill (centre) appeal during the recent series in Australia alongside Ross Taylor. Photo: Reuters

The New Zealand selectors have kept faith with Martin Guptill and Mark Craig for the test series against Sri Lanka this month.

The 12-man squad for the series was named by coach Mike Hesson and selector Gavin Larson yesterday and it includes the 11 who lost by three wickets to Australia in Adelaide on Sunday.

Otago paceman Neil Wagner is the addition to the test XI and will also play in the warm-up match against Sri Lanka starting in Queenstown tomorrow.

Hesson said Wagner had earned his way into the squad and also showed confidence in Mark Craig and Martin Guptill to perform in the upcoming series.

''Neil impressed in Australia and not only showed that he'll run in hard all day, but was swinging the ball again,'' Hesson said.

''Mark and Martin didn't perform to the level they would have liked over in Australia, but both have shown in the past what they're capable of and we're confident they'll make valuable contributions in the upcoming series.''

Allrounders Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham were not available for selection due to fitness, while Matt Henry, Luke Ronchi and Hamish Rutherford will return to their domestic sides.

The President's XI to face Sri Lanka in a warm-up match in Queenstown tomorrow is a young side, captained by Canterbury's Ryan McCone.

With the domestic twenty20 competition in full swing, most first-class cricketers are tied up with their first-class sides.

Sri Lanka is already in Queenstown and the match will be played over three days.

The Sri Lankans will travel by bus to Dunedin on Sunday while the New Zealand side will assemble in Dunedin on Monday.

The test starts in Dunedin next Thursday while the second test is played in Hamilton from December 18.

 


Black Caps

Squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

President's XI: Ryan McCone (captain), James Baker, Joe Carter, Joel Harden, Shawn Hicks, Tim Johnston, Ken McClure, Matt McEwan, Glenn Phillips, Bharat Popli, Ben Smith, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner.


 

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