Neesham’s last Test came against Sri Lanka in January 2015
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
In the only change to their Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, New Zealand have recalled all-rounder James Neesham at the expense of Neil Wagner.
Neesham returns to the Test squad after playing against Sri Lanka on home soil at the beginning of the year. However, the 24-year-old missed out on the tour of England in May-June last year with a stress fracture in his back.
“A lot of our recent success has been based on the value of our No.6 batsman bowling some overs, and we’re comfortable continuing in that vein,” New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson said. “Rather than having an extra fast bowler not playing in Australia, we thought it more prudent for those in contention to remain in New Zealand and be playing domestic cricket.”
Meanwhile, left-arm pace bowler Trent Boult and all-rounder Corey Anderson will be back in action after missing the limited overs series against South Africa in August due to stress fractures in their backs. Batsman Ross Taylor will also make his comeback as he has recovered from a groin injury that required him to undergo a minor surgical procedure last month.
It has also been confirmed that Mark Craig will be the lone spinner in the squad, while BJ Watling will don the keeping gloves. However, New Zealand have included Luke Ronchi as a back-up for Watling, who suffered a knee injury during the tour of England.
“This is a tour in which we spend quite a lot of time on the west coast of Australia and, given what happened to BJ’s knee in England, it seems wise to have options close at hand,” Hesson said.
New Zealand’s tour of Australia will consist of three Test matches, including the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide from November 27 to December 1.
New Zealand Test squad: Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum (capt), Ross Taylor, James Neesham, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Matt Henry, Trent Boult