Cricket: Mills replaces Vettori for first test

Auckland swing bowler Kyle Mills has replaced Daniel Vettori for the first cricket test against Sri Lanka in the only change to the Black Caps squad mauled by Australia.

Vettori was suffering from lower back pain during the third test loss to Australia in Auckland this week and was always in doubt for the first test in Napier starting on Monday.

A New Zealand cricket statement confirmed Vettori had been rested by the selectors due to his large workload this summer, while they wanted to give him a chance of being available for the second test at Wellington's Basin Reserve starting on April 11.

Vettori was New Zealand's main strike bowler all summer in the 5-0 one-day series loss, and 2-0 test series loss to Australia.

However, in the third test his bowling was heavily restricted, but he still topped the series batting averages with 66.

If selected in the starting 11, the Sri Lankan test at McLean Park will be Mills' third match after playing on the tour to England last year and the second test in Brisbane last November.

Also retained are off-spinner Paul Wiseman and pace bowler Chris Martin who took two wickets in the Australian series at an average of 198.50.

Sri Lanka had originally planned to complete a one-day and test series in December/January, but the tour was rescheduled after the Boxing Day Tsunami.

Team: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Craig Cumming, James Franklin, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills, Brendon McCullum, Iain O'Brien, Lou Vincent, Paul Wiseman.

- NZPA