Cricket: Neil Broom called up for test debut

Neil Broom playing for Otago in the Plunket Shield. Photo / Photosport

Neil Broom has been named to make his test debut for New Zealand against South Africa at the Basin Reserve on Thursday.

Ross Taylor's right calf injury has seen him ruled out. He could play in the third test in Hamilton.

Broom was selected ahead of a field of candidates which included Dean Brownlie, Colin Munro and Tom Bruce.

He has scored 424 runs at an average of 53 in the Plunket Shield.

Broom received a call-up in December for the ODI squad to play Bangladesh after a six-year hiatus.

The 33-year-old left the second year of his English county contract with Derbyshire to pursue his international dream.

"It was a tough call," he said at the time. "I would have liked to see out the contract, but to get an international recall [meant] it was an easy decision in the end."

Broom signed as an overseas player with Otago this season.

Brownlie pushed the decision close, given he was on stand-by for Taylor during the Pakistan series.

He missed Northern Districts' Plunket Shield match against Central Districts at Seddon Park in Hamilton after a clash in the outfield during the ODI series against South Africa.

The 32-year-old has scored 321 runs at an average of 40.12 this first-class season.

Auckland's Munro has 475 Plunket Shield runs at an average of 95, including three centuries; Central Districts' Bruce has 473 runs at 59.12, including two centuries.

Meanwhile, Trent Boult suffered a sore upper left thigh for his efforts yesterday which prevented him bowling with the second new ball. He will travel to Wellington and his fitness will continue to be monitored. Tim Southee is expected to return regardless, on a more seamer-friendly Basin Reserve wicket. Matt Henry would be in line to get called up if Boult is ruled out.

Rain sets in at the University Oval. Photo / Photosport

Rain on the final day saw the first test abandoned with a drawn result, frustrating attempts by both teams to snatch a win. South Africa was due to resume their second innings at 224-6, a lead of 191 runs.
Dean Elgar was man-of-the-match after scoring 140 and 89.