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Black Caps opt for fast lane

Image: Vettori: lone spinner

New Zealand have omitted off-spinner Jeetan Patel from their 15-man squad for the first Test against Australia.

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Vettori the only spinner in squad for series opener against Australia

New Zealand have omitted off-spinner Jeetan Patel from their 15-man squad for the first Test against Australia. Captain Daniel Vettori is the only slow bowler included for the series opener at the 'Gabba, which starts on November 20. The Black Caps' selectors have named plenty of seam bowling options with Mark Gillespie, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien and Tim Southee all making the squad. Only 13 players will initially travel to Brisbane - batsman Peter Fulton is to remain in New Zealand to play domestic cricket, while reserve wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins is only on call for one day before the start of the Test as cover for Brendon McCullum. All-rounder Jacob Oram had already been ruled out of the two-Test series due to a back injury. A new squad will be named for the second Test in Adelaide (Nov 28-Dec 2). Squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Aaron Redmond, Jamie How, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Daniel Flynn, Brendon McCullum, Grant Elliott, Gareth Hopkins, Tim Southee, Iain O'Brien, Kyle Mills, Mark Gillespie, Chris Martin

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