Cricket: Neesham, Wheeler likely call-ups for Aussie series

Neil Wagner's lack of wickets against Sri Lanka may cost him a place. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Neil Wagner likely to miss out on a spot in Black Caps.

Expect Jimmy Neesham to return to the New Zealand cricket squad which will be named today to prepare for November's three tests in Australia, with the added possibility of Ben Wheeler replacing Neil Wagner as one of five pace bowlers.

The key question on personnel lies with how many overs No 6 batsmen Corey Anderson or Neesham can muster as the fifth bowler behind Trent Boult, Tim Southee, spinner Mark Craig and Matt Henry or Doug Bracewell.

Anderson and Neesham have battled recent back stress injuries but need to prove a fitness level where they could be called upon to deliver 10-12 overs per innings. Neesham was rested as a precaution from the final two one-day internationals in South Africa.

It's expected Wagner will be absent from the 16-man squad. The last of his 16 tests was the Boxing Day match against Sri Lanka, when he took three for 176 from 41 overs. The 29-year-old has 58 wickets at 34.48.

Wheeler is understood to have impressed in his limited-overs appearances in England and Africa, when he swung the ball more than the Otago veteran.

Little is expected to change among the batsmen. Hamish Rutherford will likely be the top order batting cover with Luke Ronchi the option to bolster the middle order and work as back-up wicketkeeper to BJ Watling.

Rutherford should hold his place after demonstrating recent first-class and limited-overs form for Derbyshire after getting few opportunities on the England tour. In 29 test innings, he has also never played a test on Australian pitches which have the pace and bounce to suit his attacking game. In contrast, converted opener Dean Brownlie must be considered the next-best top order option, having succeeded in the Australian tests in 2011 when he scored 196 runs at 65.33.