New Zealand drop Martin Guptill, Jeetan Patel in squad shake-up
Wednesday 9 November 2016 23:34, UK
Opener Martin Guptill and spinner Jeetan Patel are among five players dropped from New Zealand's Test squad to face Pakistan.
Guptill struggled during New Zealand's recent tour of India, where he averaged only 26 and his side suffered a series of heavy defeats by 197, 178 and 321 runs.
Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi also misses out, while New Zealand have omitted three bowlers from the India party; Patel, fellow spinner Ish Sodhi and paceman Doug Bracewell.
Among the replacements for the opening Test at the Lincoln Oval in Christchurch are a pair of potential Test debutants in batsmen Jeet Raval and Colin de Grandhomme.
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Raval is pencilled in to take over from Guptill at the top of the batting order while De Grandhomme, who also offers a bowling option, is back from injury.
De Grandhomme has featured for New Zealand before but only in limited overs cricket, playing a single one-day international and four Twenty20 matches.
The third and final recalled player is all-rounder Todd Astle, who has not played a Test since 2012 and brings a spin-bowling option, with New Zealand lacking Mitchell Santner because of a broken wrist.
"There were a number of tough calls and when naming a squad of 13 it's a challenge to make sure we get the balance right. Jeet (Raval) has been in the picture for a while now and he benefited from spending time in the environment during the tour of Africa," selector Gavin Larsen said.
"Since Colin returned from injury last season, he's made a number of key contributions with bat and ball. He's made an impressive start to the current Plunket Shield season and he provides us with another strong all-rounder option.
"Todd's been incredibly consistent at the domestic level, having been one of the top four wicket-takers in the Plunket Shield for the past three seasons.
Squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jimmy Neesham, Jeet Raval, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling.
