Cricket: Form wins pair test bid but still a battle

Black Caps batsmen Martin Guptill celebrates after scoring a century. Photo / Christine Cornege

The revival of one career and start of another are features of New Zealand's test squad to tour England.

Martin Guptill could wear the white clothing for the first time in two years while Matt Henry has a chance to make a maiden appearance when the Black Caps' two-test series begins at Lord's next month.

Both have been recognised for their form in the shorter formats but face a battle to make the side, with two warm-up matches looming as pivotal for their chances.

Guptill appears locked in a head-to-head battle with incumbent Hamish Rutherford to partner Tom Latham atop the order, though coach Mike Hesson stressed Guptill's versatility in the batting order.

"Hamish and Tom have done a good job for us, and Martin will have a couple of innings in different positions in the warm-up games and try to push his case there," Hesson told Radio Sport. "He certainly forced our hand through his performances, and that's what you want your players to do. Martin was always in the periphery. I think he put his name at the forefront due to his performances."

Henry, meanwhile, earns his chance through the unavailability of Jimmy Neesham, whose health also hands the all-rounder spot to Corey Anderson. Henry faces a three-way fight with Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell for the third seamer spot, with Hesson impressed by the 23-year-old's maturity.

Seam friendly conditions provide Henry a chance to show his wares with the red ball, while those pitches have left Mark Craig as the solitary specialist spinner in the squad.

The 15-strong group for the five-match ODI series does include a surprise spin option. Northern Districts all-rounder Mitchell Santner has earned an international call-up - essentially replacing the retired Daniel Vettori - and Hesson revealed the 23-year-old had been on the radar for more than a year.

"He's a good left-armer spinner - still finding his trade a little bit but he's tall, he gets good dip and he can turn it. From a batting point of view, he's a very good ball striker. He's able to cover the middle order spots and cover as a front-line spinner if we need him to."

Test squad

Brendon McCullum (c), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

ODI and T20 squad

Brendon McCullum (c), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson.