Cricket: Sinclair named in NZ test squad

Mathew Sinclair has replaced Neil Broom in the NZ test squad. Photo / Getty Images

Peter Ingram has retained his test No 3 slot while Mathew Sinclair was recalled as batting cover in the New Zealand test cricket squad named today to face Australia.

Selectors Daniel Vettori, Mark Greatbatch and Glenn Turner sprung few surprises in their 13-man squad for the two-test series starting in Wellington on Friday, largely keeping faith with the side who beat Bangladesh by 121 runs in Hamilton last month.

The playing 11 from that test were all retained, along with Northern Districts paceman Brent Arnel and 32-test veteran Sinclair.

The Central Districts batsman, who played his last test against England at Napier in 2008, was rewarded for a prolific Plunket Shield season which reaped 610 runs at 61. He replaced Otago batsman Neil Broom in the squad.

"We felt we needed a cover top-order batter, rather than cover for our middle order, so Neil is a little unlucky in that respect," Greatbatch said.

Ingram kept his spot after scoring 42 and 13 on debut against Bangladesh but struggling in the one-day series against Australia, scoring 40, 14 and five before being dropped. He scored three for Central against Wellington in Napier yesterday in a bid to regain some form.

Greatbatch confirmed that captain Daniel Vettori would again bat at No 6, which would enable five bowlers to be selected.

The final call would come down to second spinner Jeetan Patel versus Arnel.

"He (Vettori) has been very successful there over the last half-dozen tests. It also gives a very good balance to our side," Greatbatch said.

"It enables us to play the five bowlers we are looking for, whether that is four seamers and one spinner, or three seamers and two spinners in our squad, we have the ability to be flexible."

New Zealand test squad
Daniel Vettori (captain), Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling, Peter Ingram, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin, Brent Arnel, Mathew Sinclair.

- NZPA