Cricket: Keeper gets nod for test

By RICHARD BOOCK

Brendon McCullum's wait for full test honours ended last night when he was named in the New Zealand squad to play South Africa at Hamilton next Wednesday.

The 22-year Canterbury wicket-keeper was one of three new caps named in the 13-man squad, which also includes a recall for paceman Chris Martin, who last played for New Zealand in the Pakistan "bomb" tour of 2001.

Opening batsman Michael Papps, having just struck an unbeaten 92 in the sixth one-dayer last night, earned a promotion, and seam bowler Michael Mason also received a call-up after impressing against South Africa.

The selection was the most dramatic so far from coach John Bracewell.

He was forced to show a ruthless side by dropping hard-working wicket-keeper Robbie Hart, top-order batsman Richard Jones and opener Lou Vincent.

Jones played just one test, against Pakistan at Wellington last month, but Hart had been a loyal servant of the side since taking over from Adam Parore, appearing in 11 matches and effecting 29 catches and a stumping.

Bracewell's decision to call in McCullum was all about timing, and he could hardly have picked a better moment after the rookie gloveman's efforts in a tense and sometimes acrimonious one-day series.

McCullum, who has played 48 ODIs, was in the thick of the action against Jacques Kallis at Auckland and caught well last night.

The long-standing theory on Martin is that he is particularly effective against left-handed batsmen, and therefore could be useful against South Africa's line-up.

New Zealand

Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Michael Papps, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Michael Mason, Paul Wiseman, Chris Martin, Daryl Tuffey.