Cricket: O'Brien gets the call-up

New Black Cap Iain O'Brien (left) in action for Wellington. Picture / Fotopress

Wellington paceman Iain O'Brien was yesterday named in the test team to play Australia - the only remaining question is whether he will come quietly.

On a day in which New Zealand's dig for international-class players broke new ground, O'Brien was one of two new caps named in the test team, and one of a staggering five changes to the previous combination selected in December.

Gone from the team beaten by Australia at Adelaide are Mark Richardson (retired), Mathew Sinclair (dropped), Jacob Oram (back injury), and Scott Styris (knee injury); defections which have completely drained the country's elite talent pool.

The resulting gaps have meant likely debuts for O'Brien and opening batsman Craig Cumming, recalls for Lou Vincent, Craig McMillan and Hamish Marshall, and a vastly different and re-shaped side for the series opener at Jade Stadium.

New Zealand have no fewer than seven front-line players unavailable for the test, forcing Bracewell to search far and wide for his bowlers in particular, to the extent that he is having to unearth one or two almost every week.

Shane Bond (back), Ian Butler (back), Michael Mason (ribs), Andre Adams (virus), Papps (head knock), Oram and Styris have been ruled out of the test, but there was at least the consolation of an optimistic prognosis for Nathan Astle (shoulder) and Daniel Vettori (back).

As for O'Brien, he could have been forgiven for going to ground after the team announcement yesterday, given the harsh treatment dished out during the one-day series to Daryl Tuffey, Kyle Mills, Lance Hamilton and Jeff Wilson.

"I was at Wellington practice when I got the call and it's fair to say that I was stunned for a while," said the 28-year-old.

"I thought I was thereabouts [in terms of selection], but I didn't think it would happen quite this fast."

He said the call-up was a massive highlight in his career because he had worked hard, and was doing everything he could to catch the attention of the selectors.

Bracewell said yesterday that he had faith in the Wellington right-armer, and was confident he would give 100 per cent if he played in the first test, starting next Thursday.

"Iain O'Brien is a hard-out trier, who has achieved everything from working hard, and bowling a good line and an aggressive length," said Bracewell.

"Apart from being fit, the thing I like about him is that he hits a particularly good length and he's got a lot of overs under his belt, which says something about his readiness."

O'Brien has taken 120 wickets in 31 first-class matches at an average of 21.92, including a best of six for 55.

Bracewell said it was imperative to have bowlers on board who could offer their captain options in the field, and that O'Brien had proved he had the persistence and durability to bowl for long periods.

"He has built a reputation as a bowler who can go all day," he said.

"And if we are to challenge the Australians in this series, we need to beat them all day for five days."

With Papps and Sinclair asked to re-establish their games back at domestic level, Fleming will return to the top of the order to partner Cumming, who will make his debut after being recalled to the one-day side for the previous match against Australia.

Cumming has a first-class average of 36.42 including 10 centuries from 78 matches, and has impressed both Bracewell and his provincial coach Glenn Turner with his maturity, experience and effectiveness at the top of the Otago order.

Meanwhile, the Australian selectors have named Victorian batsman Brad Hodge in a 13-man test squad for the series, a move that appears to have closed the door on Darren Lehmann's international career.

The teams

New Zealand test squad: Stephen Fleming (captain), Craig Cumming, Lou Vincent, Hamish Marshall, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Iain O'Brien, Chris Martin, Paul Wiseman.

Australia test squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Michael Kasprowicz, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne.