Cricket: Wagner added to Black Caps for first test

Neil Wagner has won the bowl-off with Mark Gillespie and been added to the New Zealand cricket side for this week's first test against England in Dunedin. Photo / Getty Images.

Neil Wagner has won the bowl-off with Mark Gillespie and been added to the New Zealand cricket side for this week's first test against England in Dunedin.

Coach Mike Hesson ran his eye over the two contenders during the New Zealand XI's four-day match against England in Queenstown and opted for Wagner.

The 26-year-old, who was part of the test squad who travelled to South Africa recently, took 4-98 in England first innings of 426 and followed it up with 2-56 in the second innings. Gillespie snared five wickets in the match.

Hamish Rutherford, who played in both the Twenty20 and one-day internationals against England, has the inside running to grab the second opening position over Tom Latham after a decent double of 90 and 33 against England in Queenstown. Latham scored 16 and 48 in his two turns at bat.

Peter Fulton is likely to be the other opener.

The first test of the ANZ series starts in Dunedin on Wednesday.

New Zealand test squad: Brendon McCullum (c - Otago), Trent Boult (Northern Districts), Doug Bracewell (Central Districts), Dean Brownlie (Canterbury), Peter Fulton (Canterbury), Tom Latham (Canterbury), Bruce Martin (Auckland), Hamish Rutherford (Otago), Tim Southee (Northern Districts), Ross Taylor (Central Districts), Neil Wagner (Otago), BJ Watling (Northern Districts), Kane Williamson (Northern Districts).