Ross Taylor out of first Test with Australia, NZ call up Henry Nicholls

New Zealand has confirmed leading batsman Ross Taylor will miss the first Test against Australia with a side strain and his place will be taken by Henry Nicholls.

Taylor, who produced a record-breaking innings of 290 in the second Test of the previous series against Australia in Perth in November, suffered the injury during a Twenty20 game against Pakistan last month.

Nicholls was named in New Zealand's 14-man squad and is expected to make his Test debut in the match which starts at Wellington's Basin Reserve on February 12.

He has been in solid form in his first international season, scoring 61 in Wednesday's first one-day international against Australia and 82 during the recent series against Pakistan.

Fast bowler Tim Southee returns to the New Zealand squad after recovering from a foot injury.

Wicketkeeper B.J. Watling has been named but is being monitored because of a back injury, with Luke Ronchi on standby.

Fast bowler Matt Henry and all-rounder Corey Anderson have been recalled while left-armer Mitchell Santner is the only frontline spinner in the squad.

"Henry (Nicholls) has been impressive the way he's made the step up to international cricket and we're confident of the job he can do for us in the top order," coach Mike Hesson said.

"We've gone for just the one spinner in Mitch (Santner) and that's based around what we expect the pitches to play like at Hagley and the Basin.

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"Tim's a leader within our group and our most experienced bowler, so we're excited to have him fit. Matt also comes back into the squad after some really strong performances throughout the summer and with Corey's return we now have a number of seam bowling options to consider."

Captain Brendon McCullum will make his 100th consecutive Test appearance in the Wellington match and will retire from international cricket after the second Test in Christchurch.

Meanwhile, Australia have called fast bowler James Pattinson into their squad for the match, plucking him from Sheffield Shield cricket in which he is making his return from injury.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling/Luke Ronchi, Kane Williamson