KEY POINTS:
Cast as the future of New Zealand cricket's middle order, Ross Taylor is poised to make the progression to the test format after predictably being included in the 15-man squad to tour South Africa today.
Taylor and Wellington fast bowler Mark Gillespie are named in a test squad for the first time for two tests against the Proteas in Johannesburg and Pretoria in November.
Other notable inclusions see fast bowler Kyle Mills - on the comeback trail from serious knee surgery - named in a pace battery spearheaded by Shane Bond.
Otago opening batsman Craig Cumming, who is not currently contracted to New Zealand Cricket, and Michael Papps are tasked with ominous assignment of topping the order.
Lou Vincent and Craig McMillan do not feature though the pair are likely to when the team to play three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 games after the short test series is named next week.
Mathew Sinclair and Jamie How missed out in the battle for top order spots while swing bowling allrounder James Franklin is not yet deemed fit enough for a test campaign following his knee problems.
He could also feature in the ODI/Twenty20 squad, which will be named after New Zealand A contest a quadrangular tournament in Queensland starting on Sunday.
Bracewell said Cumming, who was recalled to open in New Zealand's most recent test series against Sri Lanka here in December, was chosen on the basis of his ability to combat pace while Papps could not be ignored after a prolific domestic season with Canterbury last summer.
New Zealand, to be captained in a test series by Daniel Vettori for the first time, have never won a series in South Africa.
On their most recent meeting in the republic in March-April 2006, South Africa claimed the three-test series 2-0.
New Zealand depart for South Africa on October 18 and have two warm-up games against South Africa A before the first test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on November 8.
The tour ends on December 2.
New Zealand test team
Daniel Vettori (captain), Shane Bond, Craig Cumming, Stephen Fleming, Mark Gillespie, Peter Fulton, Chris Martin, Michael Mason, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.
- NZPA
