Vettori’s absence will be a major blow for New Zealand

New Zealand spin bowler Daniel Vettori has been ruled out of the upcoming tour of India after failing to sufficiently recover from a groin strain he suffered during the recent 2-0 defeat against the West Indies.

Vettori, who is currently New Zealand’s most capped player in history, sustained a right abductor strain during the first Test against the West Indies.

With Vettori out of the squad, 32-year-old off-spinner Jeetan Patel has been called up as Vettori’s replacement, and the entire New Zealand team are looking towards seeing him take full advantage of India’s spin-friendly pitches.

National team selection manager Kim Littlejohn, said: “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 form for Warwickshire and deserves his opportunity.”

The other change made by the New Zealand selectors is all-rounder James Franklin will come in for batsman Dean Brownlie, who had a terrible tour of the Caribbean.

“The tour of India will be a great challenge and experience for this squad, 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. Dean Brownlie misses out on selection. We continue to see him as player of the future but at this stage we feel he needs to works on parts of his game,” Littlejohn added.

New Zealand’s tour of India starts with a Test match at Hyderabad on August 23.

New Zealand’s squad for the India tour is as follows: Ross Taylor (captain), 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.