India's turning pitches and Daniel Vettori's injured groin have thrown off-spinner Jeetan Patel an unlikely international recall.
Patel was named yesterday in the 15-strong New Zealand test squad to tour the subcontinent later this month.
Vettori missed the final test of the just-ended tour to the West Indies and the need to carry two spinners on the two-test tour to India has created a spot for Patel, who will strengthen the spin-bowling stocks alongside leg-spinner Tarun Nethula.
New Zealand Cricket's national selection manager, Kim Littlejohn, said Patel, who has played only one test in the past 21 months, earned his opportunity through strong performances during the winter with English county side Warwickshire.
"Unfortunately, Daniel Vettori won't recover in time for the test series but his injury has created an opportunity for Jeetan Patel to come back into the side. Jeetan has been in great from for Warwickshire and deserves his opportunity."
Patel's numbers have been impressive during the Division One county season in England where he has taken 38 wickets at 23.65 in 11 matches.
However, in 13 tests, the 32-year-old has taken 40 wickets at the woeful average of 48.40 and his career strike-rate of one wicket every 88.8 balls is not flash.
Patel is benefiting from the dearth of decent spinners on the first-class scene in New Zealand.
Despite Canterbury leg-spinner Todd Astle making gains in recent times it would be tough to blood a newcomer on a tour to India.
Wellington all-rounder James Franklin was the other notable name on the squad list to tour India. The left-hander has been called in to replace Dean Brownlie who has been shown the door after a dismal trip to the West Indies.
"James Franklin has been brought into the squad to bolster the batting. He brings a lot of experience and knowledge of playing in Indian conditions which will be invaluable," Littlejohn said.
Franklin has been a proven performer in the sub-continent during two IPL campaigns, but playing a test series is a different business and the 31-year-old has not pulled on the whites for New Zealand since January last year.
Franklin's first-class numbers stack up, though. He averaged 53.60 for the Firebirds in the middle order in the Plunket Shield last summer and made two centuries in seven matches.
There may be a slight concern around his build-up, given he has spent the past six weeks playing domestic twenty/20 cricket in England for Essex, on the back of a stint with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Daniel Flynn is expected to be fit after he missed the second test in the Caribbean with a minor groin problem.
The first test against India will be played in Hyderabad on August 23.
NZ squad to tour India
Ross Taylor (c), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tarun Nethula, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Kruger van Wyk, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.
