The New Zealand test team's defeat in Wellington yesterday has them reaching for a secret weapon in the form of 19-year-old Maungakaramea pace bowler Tim Southee.
Southee was the only addition to the Black Caps squad for the third test starting in Napier on Saturday.
New Zealand cricket spokesman John Durning, said
that Southee would provide cover for Kyle Mills, who has sustained a slight knee injury but added that even if Mills was fit for the third test, Southee would be considered for the match.
Southee has already been marked for a great future with the Black Caps after being elevated to the New Zealand side to play in the Twenty20 internationals against the English at the start of the their tour.
After making his mark in that series, Southee was allowed to attend the ICC Under-19 World Cup, despite the calls of Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum for him to join the squad for the one-day internationals.
Southee was the star bowler of the under-19 competition with the highest wicket tally despite the Kiwis getting tipped out in the semifinals. He was named player of the tournament.
On his return from Asia he rejoined the Northern Districts side and over the weekend at the Harry Barker Reserve in Gisborne, took seven wickets in the Knights win over Auckland.
He was rated a virtual certainty to make the Black Caps squad for the English tour later in the year but his inclusion in the third test should raise few eyebrows, given the need for accurate seam bowling on the smaller McLean Park ground.
